NEW DELHI: For L K Advani, completing his "self-portrait", written over the past nine months, has given him a "deep sense of satisfaction".

A foreword to his book, ‘My Country, My Life’, by "comrade-in-arms" Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not have been more handsomely worded as it hopes that Advani’s best is yet to come.

Advani, who is BJP’s prime minister-in-waiting, has dwelt quite a bit on the relations between the two BJP stalwarts who have together and individually impacted Indian politics over 50 years, building Jan Sangh and then BJP from scratch.

Vajpayee’s generous words in the foreword can only strengthen Advani’s position as prime ministerial nominee.

In excerpts of the foreward which has been printed on the invitation card for the book release function, Vajpayee has said, "Advaniji has been my friend and comrade-in-arms for over 50 years. He has never compromised on his core belief in nationalism, and yet has displayed flexibility in political responses whenever it was demanded by the situation."

The former PM added, "He has an open mind that always absorbs new ideas from diverse sources. I am certain that ‘My Country, My Life’ will be read widely, and with keen interest, by people from diverse backgrounds. For, mirrored in it is the remarkable journey of a sensitive human being and an outstanding leader whose best, I hope and pray, is yet to come."

The words would help address controversies that have hung in the air over the relationship between the two leaders, particularly in context of Advani being named the PM-in-waiting.

Unwilling to reveal any contents of ‘My Country, My Life’, named by daughter Pratibha, Advani told TOI the uppermost feeling in his heart was that of "a sense of deep satisfaction that my life, in these 80 years, has been usefully spent"