Calling for a decisive mandate against the Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India national general secretary D. Raja on Friday said the upcoming elections were crucial to “preserve Tamil culture, identity, and rights.”

Addressing a campaign meeting here, Mr. Raja said the “biggest challenge” before voters was to prevent the BJP from gaining a foothold in Tamil Nadu. “No matter who allies with the BJP, the people should ensure their defeat through a clear and decisive mandate,” he said.

Alleging that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sought to divide the country along caste and religious lines, he accused them of promoting “religious fascism.” He claimed that the RSS had not accepted the Constitution framed under B. R. Ambedkar, particularly its commitment to secularism. “India is a multi-cultural nation, and any attempt to turn it into a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ would pose a grave danger,” he said.

He alleged that the BJP aimed to replace the Constitution with the Manusmriti, but asserted that Tamil Nadu, shaped by leaders such as E.V. Ramasamy and M. Singaravelar, would resist such attempts. “Tamil Nadu stands for equality and secularism,” he said.

On women’s reservation, Mr. Raja said Left parties had consistently advocated quotas for women, rejecting the BJP’s claims of credit. Raising concerns over delimitation, he said population control in southern States could reduce their parliamentary representation while benefiting northern States disproportionately. “This is an attack on parliamentary democracy and federal balance,” he said.

On economic policy, he accused the Union government of enacting anti-labour laws and neglecting farmers’ demands, including minimum support price, and alleged that policies favouring corporate groups such as Adani Group and Reliance Industries were undermining national interests.

Recalling the role of the Left during the United Progressive Alliance government, he said they had contributed to key welfare measures such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which initially guaranteed 100 days of work. He alleged that the present government had weakened the scheme, leading to increased rural distress, and noted growing demands for an urban employment guarantee programme.

He dwelt on issues affecting fishermen, alleging attacks on those crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, and said only the Communists and their allies had consistently raised concerns relating to Sri Lankan Tamils.