An immediate resolution to the week-long deadlock over Maharashtra chief ministership appeared uncertain on Saturday night after two rounds of talks between the Congress and the NCP failed to come up with a solution.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar made it clear on Saturday that his party had made only two proposals -- chief ministership for his party or outside support to a Congress government. The Congress, too, dismissed as "absolutely baseless" reports that it had given up its claim for the top job.

Political secretary to the Congress president, Ahmed Patel, told reporters here that talks were still on and no decision had been taken.

• Resolution possible by Sunday

AICC general secretary Margaret Alva and some senior Congress leaders left to meet party president Sonia Gandhi to seek her clearance to some proposals received from the NCP.

Alva said the proposals were also deliberated by state leaders, including caretaker Chief Minister Sushilkumar
Shinde, Prabha Rau, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Patangrao Kadam. "We have received proposals from NCP and we are going to the Congress president to seek her approval."

Asked whether a decision could be taken on Saturday night, she said, "I don't think so. We would have to go back to NCP after meeting Gandhi."