Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 10: The Congress in Kerala today (Mar 10, 2006) said no one had been officially authorised to hold talks with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) DIC (K) to bring it in the United Democratic Front (UDF) fold ahead of the coming Assembly elections.

''The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is free to hold talks with any one in their own capacity. We are not against it,'' Pradesh Congress President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here.

IUML General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty and Education Minister E T Mohammed Basheer had met veteran leader K Karunakaran and held discussions with him yesterday to explore the possibility of striking a pact. Mr Chennithala also welcomed the league's attempt in strengthening the UDF in the state.

While the UDF partners have stepped up their move to rope in the DIC (K) to their camp, the Congress was yet to come out in the open on this.

Mr Chennithala had been saying those who recognised Ms Sonia's leadership were welcome to the party and the recent party plenary in Kochi had authorised Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, CWC Member A K Antony, Union Minister Vayalar Ravi and Mr Chennithala to take a suitable decision on the DIC (K) issue.

Meanwhile, Mr Karunakaran had earlier said his party's position would be announced on March 20.

UNI