Atal Behari Vajpayee, former prime minister of India and veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in his remarks on the concluding day of the National Executive on Saturday praised the party president Rajnath Singh for the manner in which he has steered the party during the last one year.

This was disclosed by Arun Jaitley, party general secretary and the national spokesman, while addressing a news conference in Dehradun after the conclusion of the three day meet.

"Vajpayeeji praised Rajnath Singhji for his skills, the manner in which he has led the party and the way he conducted the National Executive," Jaitley said.

When asked if Rajnath Singh will continue, he said, "The party would decide at an appropriate time. Our party president will address a press conference in Dehradun on Sunday and give you details of the organisational elections.

Rajnath Singh took over as the party president at the conclusion of the party's National Executive in December 2005 in Mumbai. Vajpayee's praise of Rajnath has come as a shot in the arm for the beleagured BJP president when his critics were trying to run him down on various counts. "He has virtually taken the wind out of the sails of Rajnath critics," a senior party functionary admitted.