Coimbatore, Mar 29: A six-day 19th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will begin here today to focus on formulation of the third front.

While CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat will inaugurate the Congress, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan will address the inaugural session.

Around 800 delegates, including 70 observers and fraternal delegations from 24 countries are expected to attend the event.

The Congress will discuss and pass resolutions on issues of national concern, adopt a political resolution and hold elections to its Central Committee and Central Control Commission.

Apart from focusing on the issues of price rise and the agrarian crisis, the Congress will discuss the role and experience of the Left-led governments.

There will also be a review and assessment of alternative policies for these governments.

This would be for the first time when veteran leaders Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet will not take part in the Congress due to health grounds. (ANI)