Advani with Vajpayee and Bhairo Singh Shekhawat (later on)
In 1996, BJP's tally reached to 161 seats and the first BJP government under Atal Behari Vajpayee's leadership was formed although it lasted for just 13 days. Although Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of BJP-led govt, it was Advani who had crafted the entire electoral strategy that had really clicked. Advani had to concede the leadership to Vajpayee because his hardline Hindutva image was not conducive for winning over more and more allies that was necessary to touch the magic figure in Lok Sabha.
