70% INDIANS WANT CHANGE IN GUARD

Stung by the rising levels of dissatisfaction over the country's economic and political situation, a majority of Indians are looking for a change in political leadership in the upcoming polls, according to a report by a US-based think tank. "Nearly 70 per cent of the Indians surveyed have expressed dissatisfaction with the way things are going in the country at present, and this discontent is shared across the political spectrum. An overwhelming majority identified inflation, joblessness and inequality as the key challenges facing the country." "Looking ahead, by more than three-to-one, Indians prefer the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), not the Indian National Congress (Congress) party, to lead the next government," Pew Research Center's Global Economic Attitude Director Bruce E Stokes said, quoting the findings of the study at an Ananta Centre session. On the foreign policy front, more Indians expressed a favourable view of the US notwithstanding recent high-profile bilateral friction.
Interestingly, the study found division in public opinion about China, with more Indians favouring strong ties with Washington than to support improved relations with Beijing. The study, titled 'On Election Eve: Indians reflect on the nation and the world,' looked at Indian views towards the economy, their personal finances, the future of the economy and their children’s future, the problems facing India at home and abroad and the Indian public's views of the US, China, Pakistan and other countries.