Voters’ Reducing Support for Modi in General Election
A survey conducted after India’s general election revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not win a majority of seats, indicating a reduction in voter support for Modi. Despite this, Modi’s leadership was still seen as a strong factor in giving his coalition another term. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi, won a majority of seats with 293 out of 543 in the lower house of parliament, allowing them to form a government with the support of regional parties.
Modi’s meeting with President Draupadi Murmu to stake claim to form the government is scheduled for Friday, indicating the continuation of his leadership in India. The survey highlighted that 30% of voters were concerned about inflation, up from 20% before the election. Unemployment was a major concern for 32% of respondents before the election, but this dropped to 27% in the post-poll survey, possibly due to employment promises made during the campaign.
Concerns of Indian Voters and Government Actions
In addition to inflation and unemployment, voters in India expressed worries about declining revenues and the government’s handling of corruption and scams. While 21% of respondents chose the BJP for its efforts to develop the country, 20% did so for Modi’s leadership, which had doubled from the pre-poll survey. The construction of a Hindu temple in Ayodhya was cited as a favorite government action according to the survey, despite the BJP’s failure to win the Faizabad seat where Ayodhya is located.
The BJP’s performance in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, saw a decrease in seats won compared to the last election. With only 33 seats secured, down from 62, the BJP faced challenges despite highlighting the construction of the Hindu temple in Ayodhya as a historic event during the campaign. Overall, the survey results indicate a mix of concerns and preferences among Indian voters, shaping the political landscape and the government’s priorities moving forward.
