Akhilesh meets Mulayam, sends reconciliation signals

The 90-minute one-to-one meeting at Mulayam's residence took place against the backdrop of the SP patriarch yesterday declaring his son as the chief ministerial candidate of the party.

In signs of reconciliation, Akhilesh walked down to his father's bungalow next door - the houses are interconnected - for the crucial meeting, the outcome of which will definitely have a bearing on SP's electoral prospects in the poll-bound state.

Party insiders said Akhilesh's warring uncle Shivpal Yadav and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh, often described as an outsider in the Yadav clan, were not present at today's father-son meeting.

After the meeting, Akhilesh proceeded to the Chief Minister's residence without responding to media questions.

Today's meeting was held after a significant climbdown by Mulayam, who had last night said, "Akhilesh will be the Chief Minister after the election, there is no confusion about it.