I am 'Atal' and 'Bihari' both, Vajpayee's wit at a Bihar poll rally one among his several one-liners

"Main 'Atal' bhi hoon aur 'Bihari' bhi hoon".

This one liner from Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a poll rally in Bihar in 2004 to woo voters was one such example of the former prime minister's penchant for subtle humour and spontaneity which he displayed with ease on several occasions.

A master orator, Vajpayee used the witty remarks with aplomb for political satire on his opponents that often won him accolades and hearts of many.

With his one-liners, he often trumped the questioner that helped tide over tough questions posed to him and defuse the situation.

When Congress chief Sonia Gandhi termed his government as corrupt, incompetent and incapable, he hit back saying it seems the words have been specially found from the dictionary.

He told her in Parliament that while they were working with her shoulder to shoulder, despite differing thoughts, is this the way to express your differences.

"It looks like the words have been specially found by opening a dictionary in front," he said, amid laughter in the entire Lok Sabha.

On another occasion, he said, "Vajpayee to achha hai, par party theek nahi hai. Toh achche Vajpayee ka kya karne ka iraada rakhte hain. (You say that Vajpayee is good, but his party is not...Then what do you intend doing with the good Vajpayee.)