New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on June 5 is understood to have expressed hope that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would continue to lead the country in future.

This comes a day after Vajpayee caused a flutter with a cryptic statement that Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani will lead Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victory in the next general elections.

When the meeting began on June 5 morning, Human Resource Minister Murli Manohar Joshi is understood to have congratulated Vajpayee on his successful three-nation tour.

Sources said Joshi told the meeting that the Cabinet hoped Vajpayee would continue to lead the country successfully in future also.

The BJP leadership has, meanwhile, rallied behind him, saying Vajpayee would remain their undisputed leader.

Party chief M Venkaiah Naidu also spoke to the Prime Minister on June 5 morning, conveying to him the feelings of the BJP leadership.

PTI