New York: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was at his humorous best at a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador to US Lalit Mansingh attended by a throng of Non- Resident Indians.

"We have a long list of ex-Prime Ministers. Now, one more name is going to be added to that," Vajpayee said followed by his characteristic pregnant pause, apparently indicating to himself, evoking a loud laughter from the audience.

As the laughter drowned, Vajpayee turned serious and said, "but as long as I continue, I will maintain the dignity of the office."

In yet another tongue-in-cheek comment, Vajpayee said people often asked him about the number of parties in his coalition. "But I tell them that I don't keep a count as they keep on decreasing and increasing."

"But there are some (allies) who are stable on whose support, I carry on and I hope to do so in future also," he added.

PTI