New Delhi: A tie-up between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress appears certain, with Sonia Gandhi having a brief telephonic talk with NCP president Sharad Pawar ahead of his party's crucial National Executive meeting in new Delhi this evening (Jan 14, 2004) to decide strategy for Lok Sabha polls.

Congress president rang up Pawar this morning and spoke to him with regard to emerging political situation in the wake of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government's move to advance the Lok Sabha polls by six months, party spokesman Anand Sharma said.

Pawar extended an invitation to Gandhi for tea to discuss political situation and other related matters, he said, adding that she has accepted the NCP leader's invitation and the two leaders are likely to meet "soon".

Sources, however, said that Pawar and Gandhi might meet after the NCP National Executive meeting taking place today at 17.00 hrs (IST).

The development has come a week after Gandhi had stated that she would herself talk to NCP leader as part of her exercise to form a secular front to take on BJP in the next polls.

NCP is a coalition partner in the Congress-led Maharashtra Government.