BJP Expected To Better Face India's Challenges: U.S. Survey

However, backing for the BJP is roughly equal in both rural and urban areas despite Congress's deep roots in rural India and its efforts to cement rural political support through employment and food security programmes.

Pew Research centre said its survey did not directly ask about vote choice or the likelihood that a respondent would vote, and it could not gauge the level of support for either the BJP or Congress in particular constituencies.

But it reveals a widespread desire among Indians for a change in leadership.

More than six-in-ten Indians (63 percent) prefer the BJP to lead the next Indian national government. Just two-in-ten (19 percent) pick the Congress, according to the poll. Other parties have the support of 12 percent of the public.

BJP backing is consistent across age groups. And support is almost equal between rural (64 percent) and urban (60 percent) Indians, it said.

Roughly eight-in-ten Indians (78 percent) have a favorable view of Modi, compared with 16 percent who hold an unfavorable view.

Modi's support is especially high in the North, and he is seen favorably in both rural and urban areas and among high and low income and well educated and less educated Indians.

Rahul Gandhi is seen favorably by 50 percent of those surveyed and unfavorably by 43 percent, the survey said.
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