HD. Deve Gowda has an unenviable task ahead of him: of not just ensuring the survival of his factious United Front Government, but also of proving that he is justly qualified for the job.
Over 75 per cent respondents of a nationwide Outlook-MODE opinion poll say the UF Government won't last beyond a year: 41 per cent predict its demise in less than six months.
And, 50 per cent respondents feel Gowda is not suited to be Prime Minister: twice as many respondents in the North express that view than in the South.
The poll was conducted on May 29 and 30 in the four metros and six other cities—Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. A total of 953 people above 18 years of age were interviewed.
As many as 45 per cent respondents expect the UF Government to fare worse than the Congress: 26 per cent say it will be better, 29 per cent feel it will be the same, as the Narasimha Rao regime.
Despite Gowda's pro-reform image, respondents are less gung-ho about the UF Government's attitude towards liberalisation. The low expectations could be to Gowda's advantage.
The poll indicates the stock of the BJP may have gone up after its 13-day stint in power. Over 75 per cent respondents feel the Vajpayee government should have been allowed to stay.
