From correspondents in Delhi, India, 07:30 PM IST

The Congress' efforts to mollify estranged ally Samajwadi Party (SP) seemed to have worked, with SP general secretary Amar Singh Thursday saying he had 'forgiven' senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh after the latter called him up to apologise.

'Digvijay Singh called up in the afternoon to apologise. He said if he has said something wrong due to the ongoing elections, he was sorry for that. He is like an elder brother to me so I forgave him,' Amar Singh told reporters here.

'He has not commented personally against me. It was all political,' Amar Singh said.

Amar Singh has alleged it was due to Digvijay Singh that the tie-up talks between the two parties in Uttar Pradesh broke down.

Asked about the possibility of a tie-up with the Congress, Amar Singh said: 'There are clear instructions from party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav not to speak before the poll results (May 16). Let us get the clear picture; then we will decide,' he said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)