Veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Jyoti Basu on Friday said that like in 1996, an appropriate prime ministerial candidate would be found after the general election, but skirted the issue of Congress president Sonia Gandhi getting the top post.

"Earlier also we did not project anyone as the prime ministerial candidate. But 12 parties had offered our party to join the government at the Centre with me as the prime minister, although we did not join the government," Basu said in Kolkata referring to 1996.

He predicted a hung Parliament and said, "There has to be a coalition government and the Congress, which is the biggest opposition party, is also speaking about coalition now for the first time."

The Left had already initiated discussions on a post-poll alliance between the Congress and other parties, Basu said.

"We have asked Congress to get hold of allies. The question of prime ministership and common minimum programme will come later."

"If the Congress becomes the largest party Sonia is their leader. I don't know who they will choose. Maybe some other person can be chosen also."