India Elections: 6 in 10 Support Farmers’ Protests in Pre-Election Survey

A 2024 pre-general election survey has found that 58% of non-farmers agree with the farmers’ demands and want to see the implementation of policies that benefit farmers. The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Lokniti (public policy) survey was conducted across 19 states, in 400 polling stations across one assembly segment each, in 100 parliamentary constituencies, among 10,019 respondents. The key issues resonating in the upcoming elections are inflation and unemployment — a direct negative response to the ruling BJP’s claims. More than half of respondents expressed concerns over price rise and reduction of jobs in India — a fallout of the 2016 demonetization and repeated COVID-19 waves (2020-2022). 62% of respondents said getting jobs has become more difficult (67% of Muslims, 63% of Hindus from Other Backward Classes, 59% of Scheduled Tribes, and 57% of upper caste respondents). 71% of respondents said price rise has affected their pockets. 76% of the poor said inflation was hitting them hard. Tellingly, the survey also showed that those who trust the Election Commission of India to a ‘great extent’ to conduct free and fair elections has dipped from 51% in 2019 to 28% in 2024. The nationwide survey is a clear indictment of the regime and a response to the propaganda unleashed on the people. Election results will show if the citizens vote over these grievances or continue voting along religious and caste lines as in the past.