Karnataka Elections 2023 Survey: As the date of polling in Karnataka is getting closer, the political excitement is increasing. Many veterans including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda are in the fray to create an atmosphere in favor of BJP. At the same time, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi are busy campaigning for the Congress, which is pushing to return to power. In order to know the mood of the people amid such an election environment, Lokniti-Center for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) has conducted a survey for NDTV.
This pre-poll survey has been done between 20 to 28 April regarding the issues of Karnataka elections. According to the survey, unemployment is the most important issue for voters in Karnataka. After this poverty, corruption was considered a big issue. According to the survey, the issue of Tipu Sultan has not reached the common man of Karnataka. The survey found that only one in three voters were aware of the issue and only 29 per cent of those in the know believed it was appropriate to raise the issue.
Unemployment is the biggest issue in Karnataka
28 percent of the people involved in the survey believe that unemployment is the biggest issue in this election. Poverty is second with 25 percent. While unemployment is a major issue for young voters, poverty is a major issue for voters in rural Karnataka.
At least 67 per cent of the people surveyed say that prices have increased in their areas in the last five years. 51 percent people believe that corruption has increased while 35 percent say that it has remained the same. Specifically, many traditional BJP supporters (41%) say corruption has increased since the last elections in 2019.
What was public opinion on the new reservation policy?
The survey also took people’s opinion on the state government’s decision to increase the quota for Lingayats and Vokkaligas, abolish the 4 percent OBC quota for Muslims, and increase the quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Only one-third of the people surveyed were aware of the new reservation decisions. The supporters of the new reservation policy are mostly those who are in favor of the BJP, while those who opposed it are Congress supporters.
What did you say on the issue of Tipu Sultan?
On the controversy surrounding the death of Tipu Sultan, the survey found that one in three people is aware of the subject and 74 per cent believe that raising the controversy has increased communal tension. It has been claimed that Tipu Sultan was killed by two Vokkaliga chieftains. More than 20 per cent of those aware of the controversy believe it is worth raising the issue. The survey shows that BJP supporters justify raising the Tipu controversy, while more Congress supporters oppose it.
How was the functioning of the government?
The survey shows that welfare schemes have made a big impact on voters and beneficiaries of both central and state schemes are favoring BJP. On the question of the performance of the state and central governments, 27 per cent say they are completely satisfied with the BJP government in Karnataka and 24 per cent equally prefer a BJP-led government at the Centre. At the same time, 36 percent people are somewhat satisfied with the functioning of the government in the state. During this survey, a total of 2,143 voters have been talked to in 82 polling stations in 21 assembly constituencies.
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