The 19th Congress of the CPI-M is expected to give a call to fight the twin threats of imperialism and communalism by forging a ‘third alternative’ of political forces on the basis of a common policy platform.

The party that heads the Left Front and is in the forefront against the Nuclear Deal with the US is likely to decide on initiating the process of “rallying all democratic and secular forces” to jointly take an unyielding stand on the two issues, which, it feels, are adversely affecting India’s sovereignty and integrity.

The Congress, which is to be inaugurated by general secretary Prakash Karat, is being attended by about 800 delegates, including 70 observers, and fraternal delegations from 24 countries. CPI’s general secretary A B Bardhan would also address the inaugural session.

“The Congress is the culmination of one of the most democratic political processes any single political party can involve itself in,” CPI-M Politburo member Brinda Karat told reporters in Coimbatore.