Akhilesh to attend meet on internal security

Lucknow, April 9 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is likely to attend the chief ministers' conference on internal security in New Delhi April 16 in a marked departure from his predecessor Mayawati.

Sources in the chief minister's office told IANS that Akhilesh Yadav discussed the matter with his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Sunday and got the go ahead.

Akhilesh Yadav's predecessor Mayawati had continuously skipped the meeting for five years.

"Mulayam Singh has always been a votary of cordial centre-state relations and hence he asked Akhileshji to attend this meet," a close aide told IANS.

Other than making his government's stand known on the controversial National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Akhilesh Yadav is also likely to strike common ground with other chief ministers on issues of mutual interest, an official said.

After the April 16 meeting, the prime minister is slated to meet the chief ministers May 5 to allay their fears on NCTC, which is opposed by many states that fear it violates the country's federal structure.

On the sidelines of the meet, which would be addressed by Home Minister P. Chidamabaram, Akhilesh Yadav is likely to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil.