CSDS survey highlights voting trends in the recent assembly elections
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gloating over its victory in the Haryana assembly elections and Congress is reflecting on its unexpected defeat. Amid these developments, a survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) has revealed some intriguing insights into the voting patterns across various communities. According to the survey, the Brahmin, Yadav, OBC, and Dalit voters showed a significant preference for the BJP, while Jat and Muslim voters largely supported Congress.
Voting Patterns Across Key Communities
Brahmins: The survey found that 51% of Brahmins voted for the BJP, demonstrating strong support for the ruling party. In contrast, 31% of Brahmins backed Congress, while smaller percentages voted for other parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) or the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Approximately 16% of Brahmins supported other parties.
Jats: Jat voters displayed a split in their support, with 53% trusting Congress and 28% siding with the BJP. The remaining 19% voted for other parties. Jats, traditionally a significant vote bank in Haryana, have historically leaned towards Congress, and this election appeared to follow that trend.
Punjabi Khatris: They showed overwhelming support for the BJP, with 68% casting their vote for the party. Only 18% of this community supported Congress, while 14% opted for other parties.
Other Upper Castes: Among other upper castes, 59% of voters supported the BJP, while 22% voted for Congress. The remaining 19% threw their weight behind other political parties.
Yadavs: A surprising revelation from the survey was the Yadav community’s support for the BJP, with 62% voting for the ruling party. In comparison, only 25% supported Congress, while 13% voted for other parties.
Other OBCs: Among other OBC groups, 47% showed confidence in the BJP, while 32% backed the Congress. About 21% of these voters opted for other political parties.
Dalit and SC Communities: The Dalit community’s vote was split between Congress and BJP. Among the Scheduled Caste (SC) voters, 33% backed Congress, while a larger 45% voted for the BJP. The remaining 22% cast their votes for other parties, showcasing a diverse political preference within this community.
Jat Voters: Jat voters have traditionally supported Congress, and this election reinforced that trend. While 53% of Jats voted for Congress, 28% sided with the BJP. The remaining 19% supported other parties. Notably, only 6% of Jat voters supported the BSP-INLD alliance, even though Jats have historically been a strong voter base for the BSP in this region.
Muslim Voters: Muslim voters, a crucial segment in Haryana’s electorate, demonstrated a significant preference for Congress, with 59% of their votes going to the party. Only 7% expressed confidence in the BJP, while a notable 34% voted for other parties. The survey highlighted that despite attempts by the BJP to reach out to Muslim voters, the majority remained loyal to Congress or other political alternatives.
Sikh Voters: Among the Sikh community, 47% cast their vote for Congress, while 21% voted for the BJP. Interestingly, a significant 32% of Sikh voters supported other parties, indicating that the community remains divided in its political preferences.
The CSDS survey has provided crucial insights into the dynamics of Haryana’s electorate. The BJP’s success can be attributed to its strong support base among Brahmins, Yadavs, and other OBC groups, while Congress maintained its dominance among Jats and Muslims. The results underscore the complex and diverse political landscape in Haryana, where community-based voting patterns continue to play a pivotal role in determining electoral outcomes.