Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says Kevin Rudd must accept what happens at Monday's leadership ballot and move on.
The Gillard-backer accused Mr Rudd of playing sabotage for a long time.
"This has gone on since before and during the last election - it has to stop," he told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.
"There has to be an acceptance from Mr Rudd when he loses the ballot that he will desist from this campaign, desist from this destabilisation."
Senator Conroy also responded to questions from Mr Rudd about who would be the best leader to beat Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
"The best person to beat Tony Abbott is the person who can run a functional, competent government that is consultative and treats the cabinet and treats the caucus and the people of Australia with respect," he said.
"Only one person fits the bill ... and that's Julia Gillard."
The senator said Ms Gillard had "the overwhelming support of the caucus" and that lists of Rudd supporters published in newspapers were often wrong.
"These lists have caused enormous resentment in the caucus," he said.
"People have been pushed into places that they're not.
"This is just publishing lists that have been put forward by the Rudd camp without any testing of them."
Asked if he thought the government could win the next election, he said: "Absolutely. What we need is an end to this comedy."
"If this was to go on, Tony Abbott will be the next prime minister."
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