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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Rich Pakistani lady escapes punishment in road rage case after she is forgiven by victims’ family
Karachi, Sep 7: Relatives of a father-daughter duo have forgiven a female from a wealthy, influential Pakistani business family here who ran down a luxurious SUV over them, her lawyer said on Friday.
The incident drew widespread condemnation as the two killed came from lower middle class. The rich lady also injured three other motorcyclists on the main Karsaz Road in the city as she lost control of her car.
The accident on August 19 garnered lot of attention on social media and became a raging debate on television channels as videos of Natasha Danish appearing disoriented and unrepentant over her actions went viral.
As Natasha Danish hit Imran Arif and his daughter Amna Arif from behind, their motorcycle went flying, according to videos of the incident shared on social media and by the police.
Imran used to sell papers to shops while his daughter was employed in a private firm.
After the hearing at a Sessions Court earlier on Friday, Barrister Uzair Ghouri, representing the bereaved families, told the media outside the court that they (the families) had forgiven the driver in the name of Allah.
The defence lawyer had claimed after the incident that the accused had mental health issues and was under treatment since 2005.
The victims’ family submitted an affidavit in the court forgiving the accused.
The agreement between the affected families and the accused were presented in the court of a judicial magistrate where the case was under trial, after which the accused was granted bail.
Soon after social media erupted with blames that the family accepted blood money.
“The bereaved families have forgiven the accused in the name of Allah and it is baseless rumours that they have taken blood money (Diyat in Islamic Shariah laws) to forgive her for the deaths,” he said.
In Pakistan, under Sharia laws, a victim’s family/heirs can forgive an accused even if he or she has caused deaths.
The law is called Qisas and Diyat law. Qisas, defined as “punishment by causing similar hurt at the same part of the body of the convict,” and diyat meaning, “compensation … payable to the heirs of the victims.” “The court has released Natasha on bail, she can go anywhere in the world,” said defence lawyer barrister Amir Mansoob.
