During the two-day-long conclave in Pune, NCP's Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that the RSS is promoting the Majli-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims for political gain and disturb the social harmony. It is a major cause of worry for the nation, Pawar said.

What is the MIM?

MIM is the Hyderabad-based political outfit led by Asaduddin Owaisi which won two seats in the preceding Maharashtra assembly elections and defeated several Congress and NCP candidates.

Which issue plagues India, as per Pawar?

Addressing his party workers in Pune, Pawar said that the polarisation would adversely affect the social integrity of the nation. "Religion has become a serious issue for India. The entire world honours the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, but here some people are glorifying his killers. Even US president Barack Obama said that only when India is secular, will it progress. Every one has the right to choose his faith. Is Ghar Vapasi good for the nation?" asked Pawar.

How should NCP strengthen its base?

Pawar added that despite a rise in the population, people in the BJP are saying that the Indian women should have a minimum of four children. He also said that the NCP should learn from its defeat and reach the maximum people to expand the base of the party.

"The Congress is losing its base, so the NCP should grab this opportunity. In the state poll voting pattern, not many women have voted for the NCP, and we should find out why. With the support of women, we will strengthen our party base. By giving 50% reservation is just not enough. We need to give higher and more responsible posts to women," he said, adding that he will personally visit each district and tehshil to strengthen the party.

Pawar also asked his party men to connect with the minority and urban locality. "NCP should address the issues of the urban population and subsequently, resolve them. It will help boost the party's popularity.

RSS and MIM speaking 'language of hatred'

NCP senior leader Jitendra Awhad said that both, Owaisi and VHP leader Pravin Togadia, are speaking the same language of hatred. "RSS and MIM have got a mutual understanding to polarise the society for petty political gain. The government at the centre deliberately omitted the world 'social' and 'secular' from its Republic Day advertisements. It is not a good sign for our healthy secular democracy," Awhad said.