For the first time in the history of the Communist Party of India - Marxist, its two founding members Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet will give a miss to the party's 19th All India Congress, which begins in Coimbatore on Saturday, due to health-related reasons.

"It is with deep regret we have to inform that our veteran leaders Basu and Surjeet, who have laid the foundation of the party, have expressed their inability to attend the Congress, due to health and age factors," Brinda Karat, Member of Parliament and Politburo member, told reporters.

The 94-year-old Basu expressed his regret and inability to attend the Congress. "Their absence would be deeply felt. But both the comrades, we know, are always with us," Karat said.

However, the party workers would have the opportunity to hear Basu through video conferencing on Saturday, she said.

Asked whether both these leaders would continue as politburo members, Brinda said "That is what the party congress has to decide, as a democratic process is on."