Graft did UDF in, finds survey

KOCHI: A post Assembly poll survey conducted by Kochi- based think-tank CPPR revealed that the major factors that influenced the elections are corruption, liquor policy and minority appeasement. The survey was conducted among a cross section of voters in 53 constituencies in 12 districts, except Kozhikode and Kasargod. The survey conducted in June indicates that 63 per cent of the voters think that it is the allegations of corruption which proved disastrous for the UDF.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1-fully disagree and 5-fully agree), most of the respondents agreed to the statement that ‘the UDF government was believed to be corrupt’ with a 3.39 rating. Nearly 12 per cent of those who participated in the survey remarked that it is the liquor policy which dampened the prospects of the Oommen Chandy government. A total of 57 per cent of voters had decided on whom to vote even before the campaign was started while 17 per cent took their decision during the campaign and 6 per cent by the end of campaign.

According to 82 per cent of voters, their voting decision was not influenced by any religious/community leaders.   Some of the factors cited for increase in NDA vote share are ‘Modi factor, negligence towards Hindu community, and the general feeling that there is no difference between LDF and UDF. Meanwhile, 69 per cent of voters feel that the new BJP-BDJS alliance won’t last long while only 15 per cent believe that it will last for a long time.

The respondents seemed to have an overall positive outlook about the LDF. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1-fully disagree and 5-fully agree), the average rating for the possibility of internal feud in the CPM affecting governance was only 2.85. It is important to note that 64 per cent of the respondents are neutral. Only 16 per cent were traditional LDF supporters, 11 per cent supported the UDF while 4 per cent supported the NDA.