New Delhi: Unperturbed by the change of guard at the Centre, India Inc today (May 13, 2004) exuded confidence that economic reforms would continue to be the focal point of the new Government even as it emphasised on stability.

On whether industry had any apprehensions if Congress president Sonia Gandhi took charge of new Government, FICCI president Y K Modi said, "Leadership is not an issue for the industry." "The only thing we look forward to is stability which can come only if all the constituents of the Government become a part of it (new Government) and not extend support from outside," he said.

Industry hoped that all the constituents of an alliance would become a part of the Government to ensure stability, which, it said, was a crucial factor to carry forward the reforms agenda.

"We are confident that economic reforms will be the priority of the next Government as election manifestos of both the BJP and the Congress were indistinguishable in terms of their economic policies," CII director general (designate) N Srinivasan said.

Asked whether the present trends of election results would give a jolt to economic reforms, he said, "I do not think it is a vote against reforms. Candidates are pro-reform."

Listing out some of the failures like tackling the issue of unemployment, infrastructure bottlenecks and social sector development, Modi said that new Government should lay emphasis to these issues, which afflicted common man.