Images and issues

From the findings of the survey, it is clear that people may believe that Gujarat8217;s image has improved but this will hardly be on top of their minds while deciding whom to choose. The economic condition and the work done by the state government are the twin issues, which would matter for majority of the voters 52 per cent in Gujarat. While for 28 per cent people, economic condition is the biggest issue, for another 24 per cent it is the work done by the state government, which would matter.

While there is not much difference in opinion among voters from rural and urban areas, there are differences of opinion among different regions of Gujarat. For instance, in Saurashtra region, the home of Keshubhai Patel where the BJP is in battling dissent, 35 per cent people are of the opinion that the economic condition of the people is going to be a major issue as against 20 per cent who felt the work done by the state will be the main issue.

If economic condition is the main issue among other sections of the people like it is among the Dalits, Muslims and Adivasis, then the threat of anti-incumbency may harm the BJP.