India’s Growing International Influence and PM Modi’s Leadership Likely to Boost His Re-Election Chances: Survey

The findings illustrate that the benefits of India’s world-beating growth are different for its 1.4 billion people. Despite Prime Minister Modi’s push for domestic manufacturing over the past decade, job creation remains a challenge. India is set to start voting in a seven-phase general election on April 19, with PM Modi expected to win easily. The votes will be counted on June 4.

Unemployment was the primary concern of 27% of the 10,000 voters surveyed by Lokniti-CSDS across 19 of India’s 28 states, with price rise coming second at 23%, according to the Hindu newspaper. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of those surveyed said finding jobs had become more difficult in the last five years under PM Modi’s second term as prime minister. Despite this, only 22% said the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram was the most liked action of PM Modi’s government, with only 8% naming it as their primary concern. India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and the fifth-largest, but unemployment and inflation have been persistent issues.

Official data shows that the unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in 2022/23, up from 4.9% in 2013/14 before PM Modi came to power. Additionally, nearly 16% of urban youth in the 15-29 age group remained unemployed in 2022/23 due to poor skills and a lack of quality jobs. Despite the construction of the temple, at least 48% of respondents said it will consolidate a Hindu identity, while a significant majority (79%) said India belongs to citizens of all religions equally, not just Hindus. Voters were also drawn by the growing international courtship of India, with events such as India’s presidency of the G20 bloc last year and New Delhi hosting the G20 leaders in September.

Approximately 8% of the survey’s respondents said they liked the government’s push to create a better international image of India. *(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed. )*