Within the BJP, he was always considered the moderate face with his long-time associate L.K. Advani being the hardliner – the vikas purush and the loh purush. However, this too was more of a simulated conflict between the two than a real one. As the Prime Minister, Vajpayee appointed Advani as his deputy, giving him space and freedom. As the deputy PM and the home minister, Advani was given almost complete charge of domestic agenda. In fact, Advani has gone on record to say that the two shared a friendship that does not exist in politics anymore. Vajpayee allowed Advani to come up and take his rightful place only because he was secure within himself.