Mulayam's Third Front talk an 'enduring mirage': Cong

Congress today dismissed Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's talk of a Third Front as an "enduring mirage" and conveyed to him that it was ready for polls.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi at the same time made it clear that the UPA government will complete its terms and elections will be held as per schedule.

Alvi refrained from making any direct attack on the SP chief or his brother Ramgopal Yadav for their praise of BJP leader L K Advani and erstwhile NDA government but reminded them that post-Godhra riots had happened during the government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee.

"They (SP) support our government. We do not want to comment on what he (Mulayam Singh Yadav) said. But we do not agree with their praise of NDA government. It is the same NDA government during which the communal riots in Godhra and Ahmedabad had happened.

"Everybody remembers the statements of L K Advani after the demolition of Babri mosque. Even after this, if SP praises him, it is their view. We do not agree with them," Alvi told reporters here.

He was responding to questions on Mulayam Yadav's praise for Advani and Ramagopal Yadav's remarks praising BJP-led NDA government and attacking Congress over its "inability" to keep UPA allies together.

"Governments come and go. Congres is not after power. We do not do the politics of power but of principles. If any matter of national importance comes, we accord first priority to that," Alvi said.

He said UPA government did not compromise on issues, be it Indo-US nuclear deal, FDI in multi-brand retail or Sri Lankan Tamil issue even as Left parties, which were supporting the UPA I government from outside and UPA II constituents Trinamool Congress and DMK withdrew support on these issues respectively.

Alvi as well as Union Minister Manish Tewari dismissed Yadav's talk of a Third Front for a national alternative as an "enduring mirage" of Indian politics.