Former chief Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary targeted the VHP's plans to build schools in tribal areas, saying it was an attempt to misguide the people. ``Ask them to provide other facilities,'' he told the gathering. He pointed out the irony of Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel talking on the one hand about making the highways four tracks, even as there are a large number of roads in remote villages yet to be laid.

The meeting began with the unanimous passing of a resolution to launch an agitation if the State Government failed to clear the backlog of 28,000 posts in government offices for the tribals, OBCs, BCs and other communities, release 2,50,000 acre forest land to an estimated 70,000 farmers on ownership basis and provide two pairs of uniforms to tribal students. The 16-point resolution, read out by Chhotaudepur MP Narayan Rathwa, was passed by tribals raising their hands.

Former State Forest Minister and Pavijetpur MLA Mohansinh Rathwa, one of the main organisers of the rally, called on the tribals to see the true colours of the BJP, VHP and the RSS, units he said that were trying to divide them.

Mohansinh's allegation that the Government had failed to give benefits of the Bhuria Committee's recommendations and provide amenities in the remote areas immediately struck a cord with the gathering.

In his distinctive style, AICC treasurer Balkavi Vairagi asked those present how could they expect the BJP Government to give them several acres of land if it was not even in a position to expand the cabinet. The party's central leadership, he said, would not hesitate to sacrifice the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Drawing a parallel between Ravana and the BJP, Vairagi said the BJP, too, had 10 heads: Atal Behari Vajpayee, L K Advani and others.

In his address, Ahmed Patel asserted that nobody would be able to break the unity of the tribals and claimed that schemes the party initiated while it was in power were oriented towards the poorer strata of society.

Others who spoke included Dahod MP Somji Damor, State Congress chief C D Patel, Sabarkanta MP Nisha Chaudhary and Mandvi MP Chhitubhai Gamit. MLA Sukhram Rathwa, city party chief Ashwin Shah, Maulin Vaishnav and local party leaders also remained present.