LUCKNOW, Mar 8 : Talks are "on" with the Samajwadi Party for an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress said Saturday, adding it is prepared for a "friendly contest" with the party in at least seven constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said on Saturday: "Alliance talks are on and we will soon reach a consensus (on seat sharing). We will have a friendly contest with the Samajwadi Party in at least seven places."

Speaking at the party headquarters here, Singh also made a clear move to woo the Muslim votebank, saying the party apologises for the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. "We are sorry for the demolition of the Babri Masjid."

Asked by a reporter for his reaction to a statement by Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh that the party would not give more than 17 seats to the Congress, Singh refused to comment.