(Reissuing DI-64, adding matter in para three)

New Delhi, Apr 4 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today termed as 'baseless' a newspaper report that he had advised former BJP President L K Advani against embarking on his Rath Yatra.

"I wish all success to the two Bharat Suraksha Rath Yatras being undertaken by Shri L.K. Advani and Shri Rajnath Singh ji,'' he said in a statement.

Mr Vajpayee said he was surprised to see the news report. The report on conversation between him and Mr Advani with regard to the Yatra was speculative and baseless.

Earlier in the day, Mr Advani also denied having received any advice from Mr Vajpayee against undertaking the yatra, saying on the contrary the former Prime Minister had blessed the Yatra from April 6.

''Mr Vajpayee is very enthusiastic about the twin Suraksha Yatras x x x etc picking up from para two of DI 16, POLITICS-BJP YATRAS-VAJPAYEE.

UNI KAS AT HS1940