After Congress decided to bring a united opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, former union minister Jitin Prasada on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi will lead pre and post poll alliances and he will be the prime minister face of the party.

In an exclusive interview to CNBC-TV18, senior Congress leader Prasada said that Uttar Pradesh with its 80 Lok Sabha seats will be crucial for the general election and alliances with Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will be explored.

"Congress President has been authorised to take a call. We will do whatever is in the best interest of Uttar Pradesh. We will decide what is in the best interest of our party and Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Earlier, Congress Working Committee authorised party president Rahul Gandhi to forge alliances with "like-minded" political parties for the 2019 Lok Sabha election to take on the ruling BJP.

However, Prasada did not rule out alliance with Shiv Sena, "I can't comment on that, but if anyone is praising Rahul Gandhi, he is welcome to do so as he is on the right path."

Talking on party's stance against the ruling dispensation, he said Congress is a natural pivot for all opposition parties and will fight for dalits, downtrodden and marginalised in run-up to 2019 polls.

Commenting on Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) stance against Gandhi, Prasada said, "Irrespective of what Mamata may say or BJD may say, Congress will be the leader of the coalition. Only Congress can lead the coalition. Congress will be the largest bloc in that formation.”

Slamming BJP for stifling voices and lynchings, he said, "The whole idea of India is being questioned and institutions are being put aside and this is not acceptable to Congress."

First Published:Jul 23, 2018 5:43 PM IST