The Unified CPN (Maoist) Saturday decided to keep open the alternative to party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the prime ministerial candidate of the party.

The standing committee meeting of the party held Saturday at its central office at Parisdanda, Koteshwor, decided not to stick to its earlier position that Dahal was the sole candidate for the PM's post.

"We decided to keep the option of the prime ministerial candidate open," Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said, "Any leader can become prime minister in Maoist-led government."

According to Sharma, the party also discussed the possibility of leading the new government by other political parties in the Constituent Assembly.

"Standing committee has also set the option of leading the government open to other parties," he informed. "However, our effort to form the Maoist-led government will continue."

The Maoist spokesperson also argued that such a decision would Help convince other parties which have been continuously bargaining that. The Maoist party should come up with an alternative candidate to lead the upcoming government.

Today's meeting also concluded that proposal of the Nepali Congress on army integration failed to incorporate several things to resolve the present deadlock and ensure proper integration of Maoist combatants.