Cong rules out supporting Third Front

Congress on Friday dismissed suggestions that it would support the Third Front in forming the next government hoping that the ruling party will be able to form the government on its own with the help of its allies.

Congress on Friday dismissed suggestions that it would support the Third Front in forming the next government hoping that the ruling party will be able to form the government on its own with the help of its allies.

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"No, Congress is not ready to support any other formation," party spokesman Kapil Sibal said on a question whether the ruling party at the Centre will support a government from outside as it did in the past.

"You will see that when the next Independence Day function is held at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the national flag," he said.

To a query whether the Congress was contemplating giving support to the Third Front, Sibal shot back, "there is no such thing as Third Front. It is not even upfront".

Attacking the Third Front, he said, "there is nothing called such a front".

Indicating that "all options were open" for the party, he said the party will assess the situation on May 16 when the election results are declared, hinting that who the party will have as an ally will be decided after the results.