If 2010 was annus horribilis for UPA-II, with graft charges, scams, scandals and inflation putting the government on the back foot, 2011 has not been a happy year either. The CVC appointment, black money and WikiLeaks cables are only stoking last year?s fire, leaving the government, and PM Manmohan Singh in particular, facing a credibility crisis ? a crisis strong enough to sway public sentiment.
A survey conducted for FE by market research firm Synovate establishes just this. Rahul Gandhi emerges as the preferred choice for the PM?s post, as the majority of the over 1,200 people contacted across metros, Bangalore, Lucknow and Patna for the poll feel Singh?s clean and honest image has suffered a setback.
As many as 42% respondents voted for the Gandhi scion to be on the PM?s chair, with maximum supporters in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow ? the last possibly a reflection of his focus on Uttar Pradesh. With an overall 32%, Singh is the first choice for people in Chennai, Bangalore and Patna. Other Congress leaders are far behind in the race with the only exception being Pranab Mukherjee who is the number one choice in Kolkata, though he received just 14% support overall.
An overwhelming 63% of the respondents feel Manmohan Singh?s image has taken a beating, with the trend observed across cities, age groups and genders. Delhi remains the exception with 70% respondents still having faith in the PM?s image, while Bangalore is on the other end of the spectrum with 74% acknowledging the blow to Singh?s image.
However, there seems a near-equal split among respondents on whether the government is actually doing enough to put the corrupt to task. In the 45-plus age group, almost 60% respondents feel the government is doing enough, while the youth are not that convinced, with roughly 50% satisfied in the 18-25-and 26-35-year age brackets.
Also, the Opposition seems to be getting a thumbs up for adequately pressuring the government on corruption with 65% agreeing to its tactics, thus ignoring the fact that the NDA and Left stalled the entire winter session of Parliament. Delhi seems to be demanding more, with as many as 66% Delhiites wanting the Opposition to be tougher on the government. Patna sits on the fence here, with 51% feeling the Opposition is not doing enough.
As for the future of this government and on completion of full term, a sizeable majority feels the next general elections would happen only in 2014. However, Patna and Bangalore don’t seem to be too sure. While the garden city takes an equal split with only half the respondents confident of the government’s full tenure, Patna, seemingly high on Nitish Kumar?s development agenda, feels UPA-II won?t last the distance. As many as 65% respondents from Bihar?s capital expect the next general election before 2014.
Clearly, while no immediate threat looms over the government, the survey reflects the need for the Centre to get its act together and clear the air of growing distrust and frustration against it.