Addressing mediapersons at the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) headquarters, Mahanta said the ULFA instead wanted to hold talks with the Centre. Its leaders were trying to make contact with New Delhi, the chief minister added.

``We have told the Centre about this... also that the state government is willing to help create the kind of atmosphere required for a dialogue,'' he said.

When asked about the possibility of a cease-fire in the Assamese New Year (beginning on April 15), the chief minister said it depended on a response or a ``positive indication'' from the extremist group.

``We do not know the mind of the ULFA leaders in this respect.''

Pressed to comment on appeals from several quarters -- to the government and to the ULFA -- to accept a cease-fire, Mahanta said he was optimistic of an improvement in the situation inthe New Year. Everybody, ``especially the common people'' wanted it, he said.

As for the political crisis in New Delhi, Mahanta said the Congress was ``up to its old game'' of capturing power from the back door.

The Asom Gana Parishad had ``no practical role to play'' in this case, ``as we do not have any member in the Lok Sabha,'' he said. The AGP has two MPs, both members of the Rajya Sabha.