In a foreword to Advani’s new book My country, my life released on Wednesday, Vajpayee said the BJP leader has made an “enduring contribution” to a vigorous debate on “genuine secularism”.

“During the course of his long, and inarguably eventful, political life, Advaniji has, at times, been misunderstood and as a result become a victim of the dichotomy between image and reality,” he wrote.

Recalling his association with Advani, Vajpayee candidly admitted that there were differences on issues and approaches with Advani during their long association.