London: Dismissing any leadership controversy in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), L K Advani on June 17 said that if for any reason Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee stepped aside he had made his choice clear by designating him as Deputy Prime Minister although the issue was hypothetical.

On the controversial issue of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) projecting a twin-mascot in the next Lok Sabha elections, he said the "leader has to be one and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is my leader".

Asked what happens if for some reason Vajpayee left office, he said, "I happen to be Deputy Prime Minister. That in itself indicates what he (Vajpayee) is thinking.

"But I think it is to our advantage and to the country's advantage that he continues to guide us for many more years to come," he said.

PTI