Taking a dig at the Vajpayee government, Sonia said: "Just because our opponents played politics when they were in the opposition, and now that they are in power, (they) have suddenly discovered the virtues of pragmatism, it does not mean that we will also behave similarly. In the previous government, it was the Congress party which showed greater responsibility when it came to getting key economic legislation passed and that will remain our position."

However, industry must realise that in a pluralistic society such as India's, there will be always be debate and discussion andexpression of different views. "Unanimity may not always be feasible or even desirable. But what is certainly possible is consensus. The onus for creating such a consensus lies with the government of the day," she said.

Sonia cautioned that economic reforms cannot take place without a social face and improvement of conditions for the poor and illiterate. "We must never lose sight of the fact that the largest number of poor and illiterate in the world are our countrymen and women. It is imperative that we improve their lot and bring them out of povery and ignorance. Unless we do this, our efforts at reform and change will not bear adequate fruit," she said.