Hyderabad: There is no wave in favour of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi among Dalit voters across the country. But there is a strong anti-Congress wave in the country which is translating into a positive vote for Modi and the BJP.
The Hyderabad-based research organisation, People’s Pulse, did an extensive survey on the popular mood among Dalit voters and the general electorate.
People’s Plus surveyed eight states, Delhi, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the northern part of India, Maharashtra and Gujarat in western India and West Bengal and Odisha in eastern India. The study was based on structured and unstructured freewheeling conversations with Dalit respondents to elicit their views on a host of issues.
The survey said there is little awareness about Aam Aadmi Party outside Delhi and Punjab. However, wherever the electorate is aware, they have a positive opinion and mostly feel they should be given a chance since they are tired of traditional parties. It now depends as to how much AAP is able to reach out in the next one month.
Regarding Modi and BJP there was no palpable wave in any of the states the organisation surveyed. It is more of a strong anti-Congress wave that is translating into positive vote for Mr Modi. While the riots in 2002 don’t seem to matter in choosing to vote for Mr Modi, the fact that he belonged to Gujarat and is a regional leader seems to matter more in not voting for him.
The survey said it looks like making a transition from regional to national leadership is not an easy one. There was some shift of votes of urban educated Dalits in favour of Mr Modi.
The survey said there is an unmistakable anti-Congress wave across states mostly due to inflation and corruption. The growth in the last 10 years seems to have heightened the electorate’s aspirations and the Congress does not fare well. There are many complaints of corruption.
