On December 10 Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, became witness to one of the historic rallies organised in the State in recent times by the Bharatiya Janata Party. On a call given by the BJP's Scheduled Tribes Morcha thousands of tribals from all over India thronged the Mohrabadi Maidan in Ranchi in droves not only from Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar but also from distant Rajasthan, Gujarat and even from the North East. The Jharkhand capital got transformed into Mini India and one could see a confluence of different cultures at one place. The massive turnout of tribals in the rally was so impressive that Leader of Opposition and BJP President Shri Lal Krishna Advani exulted, "This gathering is indication enough that BJP will return to power at the Centre."

Enumerating the efforts put in by the Vajpayee Government for the welfare of tribals and Dalits, Shri Advani mainly focussed on two issues: Development and preservation of tribal identity. "Development means progress of the downtrodden people of society. And the development of tribals is an indication that the society is progressing," he said. Calling the rally historic, Shri Advani said it was for the first time that tribals from all over India had gathered under the BJP banner.

Showering lavish praise on the Jharkhand Government for its efforts towards development, its move to introduce an anti-conversion Bill and ban cow slaughter, Shri Advani highlighted the BJP's growing popularity among tribals, pointing out that the number of the party's tribal Lok Sabha MPs had increased from 3 in 1991 to 19 in 2004.

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Shri Advani said it had been using the tribal and religious minorities as mere vote banks in its 50 years rule doing little for their welfare, whereas the BJP-led NDA Government launched many schemes and projects after coming into power.

Lambasting the divisive elements in society who were "dividing people in the name of caste and religion", Shri Advani advised party leaders and workers to concentrate on 'BSP' (Bijli-Sadak-Pani) for increasing the party's outreach.

BJP Vice-president Shri Venkaiah Naidu in his own inimitable style blasted the UPA Government and claimed it was on the verge of collapse. Advocating the law against religious conversions Shri Naidu said it was the need of the hour as tension and disharmony was increasing every day due to conversions.

Painting an interesting picture he said BJP was in power in every State barring Maharashtra where tribal population was in sizeable numbers ." It is a testimony to BJP's increasing popularity among the tribal, "he said.

Development is the mantra being discussed by BJP on almost every party platform and the Adivasi Mahasabha in Ranchi was no exception. Underlining the importance of development Shri Naidu said it was only possible if there was peace. Expressing concern over rise in Naxal activities in certain States, Shri Naidu said the Naxals should understand they would be able to enjoy rights only through ballot and not bullet. In Jharkhand, the terrorists were working against the interests of Adivasis, he alleged.

Shri Naidu came down heavily on Congress for spiralling prices of all essential commodities. " Sonia Gandhi has tricked people of this country to vote for the Congress by making false promises to them. Now the people are paying the price for their support as the inflation is on the higher side," he lamented.

Setting the tone of Mahasabha, former Chief Minister and Party Vice-president Shri Babulal Marandi said the solution to the Naxal problem could be found only by providing basic amenities in Naxal affected areas. Elaborating the struggle of Adivasis Shri Marandi said, "Adivasis are fighting a two pronged battle, one against the extremist organisations and the other against the lack of basic amenities".

Shri Marandi praised the efforts of the Arjun Munda led BJP government. "The State Government is working hard for development but many Schemes and project are pending because of the Forest Land Act." He demanded amendment in the Act to speed up development in backward tribal areas.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Arjun Munda in his speech made it clear that his Government was going to bring Anti-Conversion Bill soon on the floor of the State Assembly. This announcement received thunderous applause from the audiences. Expressing satisfaction at the massive congregation, he said many anti-BJP forces did everything to make the rally a flop but in the end it was the BJP which was successful.

Giving BJP the credit for creation of Jharkhand State, Shri Munda said it was the only true well-wisher of adivasis in the country. Taking the Congress to task, Shri Munda said its rule since independence had been the greatest obstacle in the development of Adivasis.

Addressing the gathering, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said the BJP was the largest party in the country. In 25 years since it came into existence the BJP had been increasing its base in almost all sections of the society. It did exceptional work for the welfare of tribals. When BJP-led NDA was in power it brought the Amendment giving the land ownership rights to tribals which the Congress led UPA was unwilling to accept. Exhorting the adivasis Dr. Singh said if the Congress did not give the tribal their rights they should take the issue to the streets.