New Delhi: Top metros across the country have given a thumbs-up to Dr Manmohan Singh’s performance as Prime Minister, with more than half of the 3,300 respondents, all of whom were from the 18-45 age bracket, rating him as a 'competent' PM.
In fact, the Prime Minister has received a huge approval rating in the South, with Chennai giving a 90 per cent approval and Bangalore 74 per cent. Mumbai's approval rating for Dr Singh was 64 per cent. Singh's image has, however, taken a beating in the North with cities like Delhi (45) and Kolkata (44) giving him less than 50 per cent approval. In Ahmedadad, Dr Singh's approval rating was 42 per cent.
These are the findings of a poll conducted by the Mumbai-based DNA newspaper. Market research firm IMRS conducted the survey for the newspaper in nine cities across the country: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal and Pune.
According to the survey, Dr Singh has scored the highest (48 per cent) approval for his policies on international relations, with Bangalore (67) giving him the best rating and Bhopal (24) the worst. These include his initiatives on Indo-US relations, Sino-Indian relations with regard of Sikkim and the Arunachal Pradesh disputes and the Indo-US nuclear deal. The PM, however, scores poorly on the Indo-Pak relations with just 40 per cent approval rating.
Dr Singh also scores comparatively low marks (40 per cent) on the economic front. In fact, Bhopal (22), Delhi (31), and Kolkata (32) give him a thumbs-down for the UPA Government's economic policies. Mumbai, however, gives the PM a solid 69 per cent rating on the stocks market front.
On broader economic issues like growth in economy (47), foreign trade (51), infrastructure development (45), industrial growth (53), and stock market performance (51), the PM fares comparatively much better, the newspaper said.
Similarly, on issues relating to the farmers, over 40 per cent of the respondents in Pune (48), Kolkata (48), Bhopal (45), Delhi (44), and Hyderabad (41) believe Singh hasn’t done enough to improve their economic condition. Thirty-nine per cent each of Mumbaikars and Ahmedabadis feel the same.
Singh's scores are similar on handling of social and political issues (42 per cent). In fact, Kolkata (29), Ahmedabad (28) and Bhopal (27) rate him very poorly on this front. Dr Singh scores 43 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, for handling coalition politics and reservation in jobs and education. He again slips on safety and security (39), resolving the Kashmir issue (36), and tackling terrorism (32).
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