New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today (Dec 17, 2003) called on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and sought the Centre's help in making the national capital an international city.

This was Dikshit's first meeting with Vajpayee after assuming charge as the Chief Minister for the second term.

"It was only a courtesy call and I came to seek Prime Minister's blessings," she told reporters after the brief meeting at Parliament House.

The Prime Minister assured Centre's help in making the city beautiful and reach a standard of international city, she said.

Dikshit said, she pointed out to the Prime Minister her Government's concern over transport and slum clusters.

Asked whether the statehood issue figured during the talks, the Chief Minister said, she has sought time with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani to discuss the issue.

PTI