UoP survey questions MNS effect

“This is a glimpse of the minds of Maharashtra voters. The aim behind the survey was to find out which elements of the society supported which political party.

What have been the key issues in voters minds,what factors changed the approaches between the Lok Sabha Polls and the assembly polls and so on,” said Suhas Palshikar,professor,Department of Politics.

With a questionnaire prepared by the faculty members of the Department,the state-wide survey was conducted by 96 field investigators at 144 locations in 48 assembly poll constituencies with random sample method from evening of October 13,the voting day till 16. While the survey accepts the fact that a large number of young voters voted for MNS,it statistically denies the party’s image as ‘Youngsters’ Party’. The survey states that between age group 18- 25,only eight per cent voters opted for MNS. This number is just two per cent more than the total share of MNS votes,which is six per cent. The survey states that 19 per cent of MNS voters are below the age group of 25 years while 34 per cent of its voters are above 34 years of age. “Sons of the soil is another issue that grabbed the limelight this assembly polls. The survey states that voters in Maharashtra are in a state of dilemma and have neither completely accepted the agenda nor have they completely rejected it. But have yet not been able to accept the issue as their own,” added Phalnikar.

The survey also challenges Congress’s identity as the poor man’s party and highlights BJP’s OBC voter base. Increased media exposure is another finding the survey comes up with. While 50 per cent voters were contacted by party canvassers,54 per cent watched television and read newspapers before deciding their votes. “Only one out of four individuals has not come in contact with any form of media,” said Palshikar.

With additional data such as only six per cent people have accepted that they have been benefited from government schemes,the report has been supported by University Grant Commission (UGC) and Palshikar added,“This is raw data and accuracy of the data will soon be cross checked.”