MP: High Stakes Battle, With BJP-Congress
NEW DELHI:The Madhya Pradesh assembly polls are a high-stakes battle, with the BJP led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Congress, who have projected Kamal Nath as its chief ministerial candidate, vying for power. Parties are offering freebies and guarantees, courting tribal, OBC, and women voters.
Less than two weeks before Madhya Pradesh picks its new government, an NDTV-CSDS Lokniti Poll has revealed that voters prefer the incumbent chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Congress’ Kamal Nath, who was heading the state before him. The margin, however, may give the BJP pause, because it is just four percentage points.
Over 3,000 people were surveyed in the week starting October 24 in 30 of the state’s 230 assembly constituencies and the results will buoy the BJP as people believe roads, electricity and hospitals have improved under the Chouhan government. The answers will also give the party food for thought because people are evenly split on whether women’s safety has improved or worsened under it, and 36% have said the condition of Dalits has worsened.
The Congress can also take heart from the narrow margin that was thrown up when those surveyed were asked whether the 2018- 2020 Kamal Nath government performed better or the 2020-2023 Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. While 36% said the Chouhan government did better, 34% spoke in favour of the Nath government.
The Congress had formed the government in 2018 but Kamal Nath had to step down in 2020 after a rebellion led by senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined the BJP.
Asked how they would rate the Shivraj government’s performance, 27% said they were fully satisfied, 34% said they were somewhat satisfied, while 34% said they were somewhat or fully dissatisfied. NDTV-CSDS Lokniti survey was conducted for a week starting from October 24 across 30 of Madhya Pradesh’s 230 Assembly constituencies. The sample size for the survey was 3,032 respondents.
Voting in Madhya Pradesh will be held on November 17, with results due on December 3. The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is currently led by the BJP.
