New Delhi: Close on the heels of Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony meeting party president Sonia Gandhi, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in-charge of the state Ahmed Patel held a long discussion with K Karunakaran to resolve the crisis faced by the party.

Nothing was immediately available as to what exactly was discussed, but party sources said that the talks between the two leaders were part and parcel of the exercise to explore ways and means to defuse the problems confronted by the party-ruled State.

Party high command had already stated that it was not averse to discussing all the aspects of the crisis and had invited the leaders of the two factions for consultations in this regard.

Karunakaran and his supporters have been demanding removal of Chief Minister A K Antony. Antony, who was in Delhi last night, today (Dec 12, 2003) met party president Sonia Gandhi, while his archrival Karunakaran showed no signs of a climbdown on his demand for Antony's removal.

Returning from the hour-long meeting with Sonia, Antony told reporters, "Talks are progressing. I expect a solution. But I cannot give any time limit as the matter is not in my hands."

Earlier in the day, Antony discussed party affairs on phone with party leaders R K Dhawan, Pranab Mukerjee and Ahmed Patel. He also had 30 minute-long talks with Patel and Mukerjee at the latter's residence.

PTI