Mr Vajpayee, 79 today, has said he wants to serve his full term

The party is using the 79th birthday of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to look ahead, and hundreds of supporters have gathered outside his residence.

The Hindu nationalist BJP recently swept to victory in three out of four state elections by heavily defeating the main opposition Congress Party.

The vote was its last big test ahead of general elections due by next October.

Some observers believe the BJP could be tempted to bring the general election forward, although Mr Vajpayee has said the polls will be held on schedule.

Taking stock

"He is the leader of the BJP and will be the country's next prime minister," declared party official Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Later in the day, party officials are due to discuss its "Mission 2004" - its strategy for the forthcoming general elections.

Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and party president Venkaiah Naidu are among those slated to take part.

Celebrating victory

In the recent polls, BJP won big victories in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but lost the capital, Delhi, to the Congress.

The BJP rose to prominence in India espousing strongly pro-Hindu policies.

But observers say it downplayed its Hindu nationalism during these elections and that issues such as good governance and development strongly influenced the voters.

The party will deliberate the pros and cons of advancing the general election.

Although the state polls witnessed a straight fight between the BJP and the Congress, correspondents say next year's national polls will be very different, given the presence of many regional players.