Opinion poll shows Cong ahead in Punjab, Atal better than Manmoh

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) A Star News-AC Nielsen opinion poll ahead of elections in Punjab finds the Congress slightly ahead of the BJP-SAD combine in the state with Amarinder Singh as the most popular candidate for chief ministership.

But when it came to prime ministership, Atal Behari Vajpayee scored over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Congress, who was liked by 38 per cent people as against 43 per cent respondent voting for Mr Vajpayee.

However, they gave a higher rating to the performance of Dr Singh's government. Its functioning was seen as good by 51 per cent of the people.

The survey questioned 9000 people across 45 constituencies in the state.

The ruling Congress appears to have staged a major recovery after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections in which it managed to win only two seats.

The opinion poll, results of which were telecast on the Star News tonight, showed that the election was still very close and the last few days of the campaigning will be crucial.

The vote share of the Congress and the BJP-SAD combine are very similar with the latter having a minor edge.

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