In his first categorical statement on the leadership controversy in the Bharatiya Janata Party, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Monday said Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the 2004 general election.

"We will get the people's mandate once again and Vajpayee would continue to rule India for years. This situation will
come," Advani said addressing the Indian community at a reception hosted by Ambassador Lalit Mansingh.

He expressed the hope that during Vajpayee's tenure, both Indians and people of Indian origin would get a place for the country in the comity of nations.

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