Third Front is the most enduring mirage of Indian politics," remarked Union Minister Manish Tewari, targeting the renewed efforts in the direction by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Tewari was in Indore on Friday to inaugurate the language Journalism Festival of SAARC countries, organised by the Indore Press Club.
Talking to media persons, Tewari said "if we look back to the 20-year history of Indian politics, we will find that it was an era of coalition Governments. The people of the country do not like instability and they treat those who create instability in a tough manner."
Yadav had, a couple of days back, called the Congress a 'cheat' and 'clever'. When asked about it, Tewari said "we respect Yadav and other partners of the UPA a lot. He is a senior leader and everyone should follow the basic courtesies while indulging in political dialogue. We always try to sort out differences with our allies in a creative manner."
"The UPA and Congress have always shown that they know how to run a coalition and the current UPA government will complete its full term," the Congress leader said responding to Mulayam Singh Yadav's attacks on UPA and Congress.
Tewari further said "as the general elections are nearly a year away, the government has focused on strengthening the economy and putting economic reforms back on track. We also want to pass the Food Security Bill and other important legislations as soon as possible."
On the issue of actor Sanjay Dutt's sentence in 1993 Mumbai blasts case and demand from some quarters that he should be pardoned, Tewari said the Supreme Court had arrived at the decision after following the due legal course.
"The President and Governors have some constitutional rights, but it is a matter between the concerned person and those having the powers," he said. On efforts to promote Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as BJP's candidate for Prime Minister's post, Tewari said "BJP should answer this question whether it has projected Modi as the prime ministerial candidate or not."
"Speculation is there, but then suddenly Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) tweets on the issue. BJP should first sort out opposition from within."
Congress contests elections on policies and the party never worries about who is the Opposition's candidate, he remarked.
On the possibility of Rahul Gandhi being projected as candidate for PM, Tewari said "he has already clarified his position, but it is a fact that it was a wish of millions of Congressmen that he should play a more diversified role. Respecting those sentiments, he became the party's vice president."