Sonia8217;s origin a non-issue 8212; India Inc

8220;Rising fiscal deficit, falling health of state finances, rising public debt and continuation of economic policies should be main agenda of the elections,8221; he says. 8220;It8217;s sad that talented people are leaving the country while non-issues like Sonia8217;s origin are being targeted,8221; he adds.

Warns leading exporter and former president of Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation Ramu Deora: 8220;The economic problems of the country should be tackled on a war-footing. Country8217;s exports are in the dumps whileinfrastructure to move goods out of India is on the brink of a imminent collapse8230; hence, I think, we should look at the wider canvas than Sonia8217;s origins.8221;

Based on various opinion poll results, Corporate India is optimistic that it is BJP which is coming back to power at a time when all the economic indicators are surprisingly positive despite a caretaker Government being at the helm. 8220;If BJP comes back to power8230; many stalled bills like telecom package, insurance and company law Bill will see the light of day8230; Vajpayee8217;s experience and stature does matter,8221; says the chairman of a Government-owned bank.

According to Venkatesh Aiyar, a trader on the Bombay Stock Exchange, brokers are looking forward to the formation of a stable Government headed by the BJP. 8220;Sonia8217;s problems with Jaya and lack of inexperience is already giving jitters to the stock markets8230; god help that Government which is supported by Jayalalitha irrespective of whether that support comes from outside or inside,8221; headds.

Trade and industry is enthused over the Reserve Bank of India8217;s report which says that the economic recovery is imminent. Industrial production and farm output show a pick-up while corporate bottomlines have improved. Excellent harvests have added to rural demand, banks are showing higher credit growth, while industries such as cement and automobiles are looking up.

8220;This is a godsend opportunity for the country8230; the next Government should make the best use of these opportunities to steer the economy to new a high8230; fighting over non-issues like Kargil and Sonia8217;s origins are just a waste of time,8221; says the head of an MNC.

After three years of instability at the Centre, trade and industry is seeking a Government which can take decisions without any fear of being voted out. CII president Rahul Bajaj says privatisation is the need of the hour in the Indian financial sector. 8220;Efforts should be made by the new Government to privatise a few banks in about 18 months and then analyse the resultsfor taking further action,8221; he says.

8220;All the political parties should sit together and come out with a common economic agenda which should send clear signals to the outside world about foreign direct investment, economic liberalisation and reforms in inflated bureaucracy8230; besides social issues like illiteracy, rising population and poverty should be taken up,8221; Trivedi suggested. Analysts say that the current stock market boom will go for a six if a government, supported by finicky and demanding partners, comes to power.