Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Most Indians seem to believe that the campaign launched by Gandhian Anna Hazare will hit corruption in the country, says a nationwide opinion poll.

At the same time, most of the nearly 2,000 respondents quizzed in 10 cities felt the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was “the most corrupt government ever”.

Asked if they hoped that the movement initiated by Hazare would help reduce corruption, 55 percent answered in the affirmative, said an opinion poll conducted by the news website LensOnNews.com.

Only 27 percent were sceptical of achieving positive results in eliminating corruption.

“Most people seem to think that the institution of an independent Lokpal as proposed by him, with substantive powers to investigate complaints against the highest leaders and officials of government, will at last lead to real and meaningful action against high-level corruption,” the survey said.

Hazare went on a hunger strike in New Delhi last month demanding the formation of an effective Lokpal or ombudsman to battle corruption in high places.

The fast generated support all over the country, forcing the government to set up a 10-member panel to decide on the Lokpal.

But while supporting Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign, 55 percent said they were against yoga guru Baba Ramdev forming a political party. Only 26 percent supported the initiative.

As many as 58 percent of the respondents described the UPA government as the “most corrupt government ever”.

Only 30 percent thought otherwise while 12 percent had no opinion.

Asked which state government was the least corrupt, 40 percent voted for Gujarat followed by Bihar (17 percent) and Kerala (8 percent).

Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan figured low down in the order, with barely four-to-five percent speaking in their favour.

The poll was conducted in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Jaipur and Bhubaneshwar among nearly 2,000 respondents, mostly drawn from the middle classes. The poll was conducted between April 20 and 29.