New Delhi, Mar 20 (IANS): Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday sought an assurance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the government would proceed with the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) only with the consent of the chief ministers.

Opposition members, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), AIADMK and the Janata Dal-United, demanded an assurance from the prime minister soon after he replied to the motion of thanks on the president's address.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley (BJP) said the entry of central forces working under NCTC must not happen "without the consent or knowledge of states".

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the prime minister should give an assurance that the government will proceed with the NCTC only after taking chief ministers on board and "with their agreement".

Many non-Congress ruled states have objected to the NCTC in its present form saying it amounts to an infringement of their powers.