Lokniti-CSDS 2024 pre-poll survey: Jobs and inflation key concerns in Lok Sabha elections
New Delhi: In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, a pre-poll survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS has revealed that unemployment and price rise are the primary concerns of nearly half of the electorate. The survey highlighted that Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis are particularly concerned about these issues, with nearly two-thirds (62%) expressing difficulty in finding jobs.
The survey found that 62% of respondents across villages, towns, and cities felt that getting jobs had become more difficult compared to the last five years. Among men, 65% shared this opinion, while among women, the figure was slightly lower at 59%. Only 12% of respondents felt that getting jobs had become easier.
The concern over job availability was particularly high among Muslims (67%), followed by Hindus from Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes (63% each), and Scheduled Tribes (59%). In contrast, Hindu upper castes were more optimistic, with 17% believing that jobs were easier to get, although 57% of them still felt that jobs had become more difficult.
Regarding the issue of price rise, 71% of respondents believed that prices had increased, with higher percentages among the poor (76%), Muslims (76%), and Scheduled Castes (75%).
When asked about the responsibility for shrinking job opportunities, 21% blamed the Centre, 17% blamed State governments, and 57% felt that both were responsible. Similarly, for the issue of price rise, 26% blamed the Centre, 12% blamed the State, and 56% blamed both.
In terms of quality of life, 48% felt that their quality of life had improved in the last five years, while 35% felt it had worsened. Only 22% said they could fulfill their needs and save money from their household income.
On the issue of corruption, 55% believed that corruption had increased, with 25% blaming the Centre and 16% blaming the States, while 56% blamed both.
Despite these concerns, nearly half of the respondents felt that development in the last five years had been inclusive.
The survey indicates that economic issues, particularly unemployment and price rise, are likely to be significant factors influencing voter sentiment in the upcoming elections.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
