Caste is likely to be the key issue in the 2019 elections. The voters are not worried about corruption or inaction of the MLAs but are more interested in the caste affiliations. This is one of the key findings of an intelligence department survey on the people's pulse in Andhra Pradesh. The intel department, which collected over one lakh samples from 175 assembly constituencies, has put in place several checks and balances to ensure that there is no bias. In fact, the intel department collected all the voters list and called up every 100th voter to ask questions. They were asked two questions - who did they vote for in 2014 and who will they vote in 2019 elections. The phone numbers and other details were cross checked by another team to ensure that there is no duplication or error. In constituencies like Vijayawada central, the voters said that they would vote for the candidate of their caste. But, another interesting aspect is that at least 64 sitting MLAs are facing deep anti-incumbency. The voters are totally unhappy with their performance. They have already decided to vote them out.
Interestingly, the details are not shared with even the ruling party MLAs. The reports, which the intel department feels, are very accurate, are only shared with the Chief Minister. The intel sources refuse to divulge further details about the survey.
SOURCE: HINDU