The Nepali Congress Mahasamiti meeting that concluded on Wednesday amended its statute to limit the authority of its party president.

"This has ushered in internal democracy," said NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel. The issue was brought up at the Mahasamiti meeting for the first time in more than 50 years.

"The party had been seeking this for a long time. It will help in making the party more organised and united," Poudel said.

NC president Girija Prasad Koirala insisted on continuing the presidential system saying it was the identity of his party. Koirala supporters are saying this development could lead to a party split.

Earlier, Koirala had issued directives to postpone the Mahasamiti meeting. The central committee defied Koirala's order and went ahead with the scheduled meeting.

According to the amended statute, the general convention will directly elect the president, a general secretary and a treasurer.

Sixty-one central committee members will be elected by the general convention with 25 in an open contest, one each from 14 zones, and 22 from reserved quotas. The amended statute will be presented at the party's general convention for final approval.

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