What does the voter consider before he casts his vote in favour of one or the other candidate in an election? There have been wave elections where a particular issue — like corruption in high places — has dominated, but generally, the key concerns of the voter have remained unchanged: jobs, prices, water, power. Delhi 2003 makes strengthens the trend.
Results of the HT-CSDS Survey show jobs are on top of the minds of a clear 45 per cent — the largest group — of Delhi’s voters. Water and power come next (the most important issue for 26 per cent of voters); the development of Delhi is next (19 per cent). Full statehood for Delhi — the BJP’s favourite campaign plank along with corruption — is nowhere on the horizon. A minuscule 2 per cent say it is issue number 1 for them in this election.
The lack of employment opportunities is the most worrisome issue before both the young and the elderly, the rich and the poor. However, expectedly enough, a larger percentage of the young (51 per cent) are the most worried about it than the old (39 per cent); and more poor voters (54 per cent) than rich voters (33 per cent) say it’s the most important election issue.
The concern is spread over all the seven parliamentary constituencies. The maximum concern is in east Delhi (53 per cent) and minimum in the upmarket south (37 per cent).