Akhilesh Yadav, who has become practiced at trying to coax his belligerent father into support rather than opposition, told NDTV today that he is "confident that Mulayam Singh will campaign for us in this election." Yesterday, Mulayam Singh, 77, categorically ruled that out, ending a brief respite in his alpha-contest with Akhilesh Yadav, who is aiming for re-election as Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister. Mulayam Singh said his son has erred by insisting on a partnership with the Congress, an arrangement that he had forbidden till he lost control of the Samajwadi Party to Akhilesh Yadav.