SHINDE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE In Western Maharashtra, the stronghold of the Congress-NCP, the Shinde government gets a very good rating — the best in the state. But the voters of Konkan, a BJP-Shiv Sena (SS) stronghold, give the thumbs-down to the state government, similar to the response of the voters in North Maharashtra. In Mumbai, the Congress-NCP did very well in the recent Lok Sabha elections, and, if the response to this question is any guide, the voters continue to back the incumbent government. THE LEADERSHIP STAKES Voters were asked to indicate their preference for a chief ministerial candidate from each front. Among the BJP-Shiv Sena leaders, it is ‘‘remote control’’ Thackeray who finds most support in Western Maharashtra and Mumbai while Narayan Rane is the first choice on his home turf of Konkan. Gopinath Munde, who was ahead of Balasaheb in Marathwada and also did well in Vidarbha and the north, is no match for Balasaheb in these regions. The working president of the Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray, has little support in these three regions. Are you better off than 5 years ago? Parts of Maharashtra have undergone considerable economic hardship in the past few years, primarily because of drought. Voters were asked if their economic condition had improved or deteriorated over the past five years. In Western Maharashtra and Konkan, more affected by natural forces, the balance of opinion suggested that the economic condition had improved. In Mumbai, an overwhelming majority believed their economic condition had improved in the past five years. Across these three regions, there is virtually no support for a separate state for Vidarbha. KONKAN RAILWAY? Voters in Konkan were questioned about the benefits of Konkan Railway to the region. The vast majority of the respondents believed the new rail line had brought benefits to the region. The credit for the railway was given almost as much to the BJP-Shiv Sena as to the Congress-NCP combine. Has Konkan Railways benefitted the region? (%) YES 83NO 17 JOBS FOR THE BOYS? There has been a ‘‘jobs for locals’’ campaign in Konkan. While around half the voters think such a campaign is relevant, the rest finds it just a political gimmick. “Jobs for locals” campaign RELEVANT — 55%POLITICAL GIMMICK — 45% PROBLEMS OF THE SUGAR INDUSTRY Western Maharashtra is the sugar bowl of Maharashtra and also of the country. The industry has had many problems recently, leading to some of the sugar cooperatives going bankrupt. Voters in this sugar belt blame both alliances (though the BJP-Shiv Sena is seen as a bit more responsible) for the plight of the industry. Sugar industry problem:Who is responsible?• BJP+SS — 31 %•CONG+NCP — 24%• BOTH — 14• NONE — 30% IS MUMBAI SAFE? The voters of Mumbai give their city a thumbs-up, with an overwhelming majority calling it a safe city. Is Mumbai safe?• SAFE — 86%• UNSAFE — 14% IS MUMBAI GETTING BETTER? The last five years have taken their toll on many cities in the country but the voters of Mumbai, by a 3:1 majority, say their city has become a better place to live in over the past five years. • Better place to live in than 5 years back• BETTER —76%• WORSE —24 %
