New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on June 4 caused fresh flutters when he said Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani will lead Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victory in the next general elections, taking party leaders by surprise who said Vajpayee remains their undisputed leader.

In the midst of a week-long controversy over his remarks of retirement made to a German publication and flip-flop statements by party President M Venkaiah Naidu, the Prime Minister broke his silence on the issue, saying, "A self-confident nation and a self-confident party. Neither tired, nor retired. The party would march to victory under the leadership of Advani."

He made these remarks at a gathering of his partymen brought by Naidu to felicitate him on his "successful" foreign trip at his residence.

A surprised Naidu immediately got up and said, "We want to be under your leadership. You are not only the leader of BJP, NDA (National Democratic Alliance), India, but also Venkaiah and even Advani."

Naidu later explained to reporters that what the Prime Minister meant was that Advani would lead the party's poll campaign. "He (Advani) would be our 'sarathi' (charioteer)," Naidu said.

Advani, however, declined to comment on the Prime Minister's remarks.

A visibly relaxed Vajpayee, who moved to the lawns, asked journalists present, "What are you going to write?"

When told they enjoyed his speech, he shot back, "I have that much satisfaction."

PTI