On one occasion, as far back as 1895, when the Congress held its annual session in his own city of Poona, he had attempted to commit it to the aggressive doctrines which he was already preaching in the Deccan, but he soon discovered that the temper of the majority was against him.

He was, however, far too tenacious ever to accept defeat.

He bided his time.

He knew he had to reckon with powerful personal jealousies, and he remained in the background.

His opportunity did not come till ten years later when he pulled the strings at the two successive sessions held in 1905 at Benares and in 1906 at Calcutta.