By: Express News ServiceUpdated: September 21, 2025 06:54 PM IST 2 min readExpressing solidarity with victims of the recent Punjab floods, Raja lauded the courage of local party workers who, despite hardships, turned up in large numbers. (Express Photo)The Communist Party of India (CPI) opened its 25th National Congress on Sunday with a mass rally in Mohali, calling on democratic and Left forces to unite against what it termed the BJP’s “assaults on democracy, the Constitution and secularism.”Held at the Subzi Mandi shed in Phase 11, Sector 65, the rally began with cultural performances and revolutionary songs by artistes including Iqbal Kaur Udasi, Inqulabi Kavishri Jatha Rasulpur, Desh Raj Lachkani, and IPTA Moga. The atmosphere grew charged as youth groups carrying sacred flames and revolutionary torches from Jallianwala Bagh, Hussainiwala, and Bhakana entered the venue, greeted by applause and slogans.CPI general secretary D. Raja, national secretary Amarjit Kaur, Punjab CPI secretary Bant Singh Brar and other senior leaders addressed the gathering. They said the Congress would chalk out a roadmap to “bring India out of the present grave crisis” and build a “secure future” for the country.Expressing solidarity with victims of the recent Punjab floods, Raja lauded the courage of local party workers who, despite hardships, turned up in large numbers. He accused the BJP-RSS of pursuing an “anti-democratic, divisive, and fascist path,” and declared that “the people of India will never allow the BJP’s nefarious designs to succeed.”Amarjit Kaur, who also heads AITUC, condemned attempts to curtail workers’ rights and hand over resources to corporates. “India’s workers will decisively defeat such assaults,” she said.Punjab CPI leaders criticised the Modi government’s “anti-Punjab” policies, demanded compensation for those affected by floods, and pressed for expanded employment schemes to tackle rising joblessness.The rally, marked by a sea of red flags and the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad,” also commemorated the CPI’s birth centenary. It concluded with a call to “defeat fascistic moves, defend the Constitution, and march towards equality, social justice, secularism, democracy and socialism.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:mohali