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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Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren passes away at 62
Ranchi, Aug 15 (PTI): Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren died on Friday, JMM national spokesperson Kunal Sarangi said.
He was 62.
Soren was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Delhi, where he was admitted on August 2.
"State Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi, is no more," Sarangi told PTI.
Soren's condition was critical and he was on life support, Sarangi said.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader was airlifted to the hospital in the national capital from Jamshedpur after he fell in the bathroom of his residence on August 2.
A multidisciplinary team of senior specialists was closely monitoring his condition and providing intensive medical care.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condoled his death.
Hemant Soren, in a post on X, wrote, "Ramdas Da (brother) should not have left us like this. Last greetings to Dada..."
Ramdas Soren, born in Ghorabandha village in East Singhbhum district on January 1, 1963, began his political journey as the gram pradhan of the Ghorabanda panchayat, eventually rising to become one of the most influential ministers in the Hemant Soren-led cabinet.
He won the Ghatshila assembly seat for the third time in 2024 by defeating BJP's Babulal Soren, son of former chief minister Champai Soren.
ऐसे छोड़ कर नहीं जाना था रामदास दा...
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 15, 2025
अंतिम जोहार दादा... pic.twitter.com/5cKZkpIe9Z
