Pollster India's Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election 2023 Survey: Women Support, Welfare Schemes To Help BJP Retain Power

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in Madhya Pradesh is set to retain power in a closely fought election, according to a pre-poll survey by Pollster India.

A slew of women-oriented welfare schemes implemented by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan combined with the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided momentum, giving BJP a 5% edge over the Congress, the survey revealed.

According to the survey, the BJP enjoys substantial support from women across the state.

The survey predicts that the BJP will win around 125 seats and the opposition Congress will win around 97 seats.

The pre-election survey, based on responses from 35268 participants, was conducted from October 3 to October 30, 2023.

The survey forecasts a 44.7 per cent vote share for the BJP, a gain of 3.1 per cent compared to the 2018 Vidhan Sabha election,

The Congress's vote share is projected to be 39.4 per cent, down 2.1 per cent compared to the previous elections.

The BJP, which has been in power in the state for almost 19 years, has benefited from its series of welfare schemes, the survey indicated.

The survey projected BJP gaining both votes and seats in Chambal, Mahakaushal and the tribal belt of Malwa. The saffron party is however expected to lose some seats in the Malwa Uttar and Vindhya regions of the state.

The BJP could however face potentially face some electoral headwinds as many respondents identified unemployment and price rise as major issues. The BJP has attempted to assuage the electorate on inflation issue by offering LPG cylinders at Rs 450 through the Ladli Behna Yojna.