Nagpur: Recalling with pride his long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), L K Advani on July 13 expressed confidence that "swayamsevak" Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would continue to lead the country for several years after the next Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing party's veteran workers, Advani lavished praise on RSS founder K B Hedgewar, recalled the establishment of RSS in 1925, and said, "From then onwards, due to sheer hardwork and commitment, we have reached a position where a swayamsevak has become the Prime Minister."

"While there were seven Prime Ministers between 1988-1998, we have had only Vajpayee (since then). He would continue to lead us for several years after winning the Lok Sabha elections," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Recalling his association with RSS since 1941, Advani recited a couplet from a prayer he used to sing as a swayamsevak and said in the Jan Sangh, the earlier avatar of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), they use to fight the elections without any political ambition.

PTI