Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

A senior Sena-UBT leader, preferring anonymity, told IANS that party chief Uddhav Thackeray is unlikely to take part in the BJY owing to the current political situation here, but will depute a high-level team of leaders to express solidarity with Gandhi and the Congress.

"This is especially important in view of limited resources in the country. Everyone must introspect on it and implement the policy for population control. There is a need to create awareness and awakening on the issue," Dattatreya Hosabale said. Hosabale further said that the population of Hindus was going down, mainly due to conversions taking place in the border areas.

"RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale had spoken with concern and pain about the country. There is no intention of showing anger or passing out a wrong message. He is not a politician, it can't be presumed that he had gone against the BJP," Pramod Muthalik stated.

Also, former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (JD-S) said on social media on Monday that the statement of Dattatreya Hosabale, the General Secretary of RSS holds mirror to the current condition in India. "Now, there are big questions over claims of Achche Din," Jairam Ramesh said.

Dattatreya Hosabale said that in the last 75 years, India has made remarkable achievements in many fields, but the amount of poverty-stricken, unemployment rate and income inequality in the country still remains a challenge like "demons" and it is very important to end it.

"The RSS chief is scheduled to stay in Prayagraj from October 16 to 18. He is scheduled to participate in the meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal Baithak, a three-day national executive meeting of the RSS," said RSS prachar pramukh of Kashi Prant, Morarji Tripathi.

"I firmly believe that the RSS should also be banned in the country. It is worse than the PFI. The previous government had banned the RSS twice. Earlier Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had imposed a ban on RSS in the country," Lalu Prasad said. JD-U national President Lalan Singh demanded that the Narendra Modi government clarify on what basis the ban was imposed on the PFI.

He dismissed the news reports - which went on to suggest internal strife within the party at its two-day national conclave - as absolutely misleading and speculative. "I had been sitting on the stage since morning. It was natural for any human being to feel the urge to go to the washroom. But the media has blown it out of proportions. Can't I even step into the washroom?" an annoyed Ajit Pawar said.

Speaking at the NCP national council meeting here, Pawar -- who on Saturday was re-elected unanimously the party president -- told the workers to be prepared for a "big fight". Pawar said that Chhatrapati Shivaji never bowed in front of Delhi rulers and the NCP follows that path which has established itself as a progressive national party. His remarks came as many Opposition leaders are under the spotlight of probe agencies, while NCP leaders such as Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh are under judicial custody.

Praful Patel said Pawar was going to play an important role to bring many forces together. He said, "Sharad Pawar was never and will never be the PM face. He only speaks about the real issues of this country. Some workers of the party expressed their views but Sharad Pawar is not aspiring for the PM post. "We know our limitations and he is not the opposition's face but will play an important role." Patel said the NCP was going to play a key role in the upcoming General Elections. But the party's stand was clear that there was a need for the Opposition to unite.