File photo of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
In a first, public broadcaster Doordarshan, and a few private broadcasters, will live telecast the annual Vijaya Dashmi address of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat from Nagpur.
On the eve of the Vijaya Dashmi rally, the official account of the RSS tweeted that preparations for the annual function were almost complete. Sources in Doordarshan and RSS have confirmed to NDTV that it would be telecast live on the national channel.
The move could be considered controversial, since the address has not been telecast live even during the term of the NDA-1 government, said Sangh sources. Also, the content of the speech could add to the controversy.
The Vijaya Dashami address is considered a "margdarshan" session for cadres of the RSS, which is the ideological parent of the BJP. This year, the RSS marks 90 years since it came into existence on Vijaya Dashmi in 1925 in Nagpur.
In this address, the RSS chief lays down the Sangh's vision, analyses the situation in the country and mentions its expectations from the government. Senior BJP leaders and state party officials usually attend the event.
This is the first Vijaya Dashmi rally after the BJP-led NDA has come to power under Narendra Modi.
But while RSS claims to be apolitical, last year, Mr Bhagwat had launched a scathing attack on the ruling UPA government, accusing it of appeasing minorities.
He had also urged voters to turn out in full strength, which later was adopted by the BJP as a key poll strategy.