The survey also revealed that a majority of the voters, 51 per cent want present government to continue in office while a much lesser proportion, 42 per cent is satisfied with the government's performance. The survey was held in eight metro cities in different regions of the country among a representative scientific sample of 2,050 voters in the first fortnight of October.

About the working of the government, 42 per cent expressed unhappiness and 20 per cent were non-committal on the issue. Lack of stability, which was the main plank of the BJP appears to have taken a beating. As much as 17 per cent of the voters mentioned instability as the principal weakness of the government while another 13 per cent cited lack of development.

The Home MinisterLK Advani is the most popular minister in the government, followed by George Fernandes, whose performance rating far exceeds that of the Central Government, while the other ministers are rated just on par or below that of the government's popularity rating.

Public opinion continues to be in favour of the nuclear tests conducted by the government. As much as 44 per cent of the respondents interviewed in the poll mentioned the tests as the key achievement of the government. The other achievement, which found a prominent mention by the voters is better foreign policy.