New Delhi:

Unemployment and inflation are the main concerns of Indian voters, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong leadership and India’s growing global stature are likely to help his re-election, a survey shows.

The findings suggest that the benefits of India’s global growth are starkly different for its 1.4 billion people as, despite PM Modi’s boost to domestic manufacturing over the past 10 years, job creation remains a challenge.

Voting begins in India on April 19 in a seven-phase general election in which PM Modi is expected to win easily. Counting of votes will take place on June 4.

The Hindu newspaper said unemployment was the main concern of 27 percent of 10,000 voters surveyed by Lok Niti-CSDS in 19 of India’s 28 states, with rising prices second at 23 percent, The Hindu newspaper said. The newspaper said.

Nearly two-thirds, or 62 percent, of those surveyed said finding jobs had become more difficult over the past five years, PM Modi’s second term as prime minister.

While 22% said the “most liked action” of PM Modi’s government was the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Rama at a site contested by minority Muslims, only 8% said Said that this is their main concern.

India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and the fifth largest, but unemployment and inflation are hampering its growth.

The unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in 2022/23, from 4.9% in 2013/14, just before PM Modi came to power, and about 16% of urban youth aged 15-29 in 2022. I was unemployed at 23. Poor skills and lack of quality jobs, official data show.

PM Modi oversaw the consecration of the Ram temple in January, a move his Bharatiya Janata Party has used in its election campaign to highlight the fulfillment of a long-standing Hindu demand.

At least 48 percent of respondents said the temple would strengthen a Hindu identity, but a much larger majority (79%) said India belongs to citizens of all religions, not just Hindus.

Voters were also drawn by India’s growing international presence, including India’s chairmanship of the G20 bloc last year, and the much-publicized hosting of G20 leaders by New Delhi in September.

About 8% of the survey respondents said they liked the government’s push to create a better image of India internationally.

(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)