2004 general election thumb|Prime Minister Vajpayee casting his vote at a polling booth in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, during the 2004 general election. In 2003, news reports suggested a tussle within the BJP with regard to sharing of leadership between Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani. BJP president Venkaiah Naidu had suggested that Advani must lead the party politically at the 2004 general elections, referring to Vajpayee as vikas purush, Hindi for development man, and Advani as loh purush, iron man. When Vajpayee subsequently threatened retirement, Naidu backtracked, announcing that the party would contest the elections under the twin leadership of Vajpayee and Advani.
2004 general election thumb|Prime Minister Vajpayee casting his vote at a polling booth in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh during the 2004 general election In 2003 news reports suggested a tussle within the BJP with regard to sharing of leadership between Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani BJP president Venkaiah Naidu had suggested that Advani must lead the party politically at the 2004 general elections referring to Vajpayee as vikas purush Hindi for development man and Advani as loh purush iron man When Vajpayee subsequently threatened retirement Naidu backtracked announcing that the party would contest the elections under the twin leadership of Vajpayee and Advani