Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintains his position as the country’s most revered leader, but Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s approval ratings have surged. According to a public survey conducted by NDTV in collaboration with Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Gandhi’s ratings rose by 15 percent after the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The survey, with 7,202 respondents from 71 constituencies across 19 states, reveals key takeaways. 43 percent of participants believe the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance should win a third straight term, while 38 percent disagree.
Regarding preferred prime ministerial candidates, 43 percent of respondents choose Narendra Modi, while Rahul Gandhi follows closely with 27 percent.
Despite the Karnataka assembly election loss, Modi’s popularity remains strong, as the BJP’s vote share increased from 37 to 39 percent in 2023. The Congress’s vote share also rose, from 19 to 29 percent.
The survey identifies other popular choices for prime minister, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal (both at 4 percent), followed by Akhilesh Yadav (3 percent), Nitish Kumar (1 percent), and 18 percent for others.
Respondents cite various reasons for supporting Narendra Modi: 25 percent appreciate his oratory skills, 20 percent admire his focus on development, 13 percent praise his work ethic, and an equal percentage find his charisma captivating. Approximately 11 percent appreciate his policies.
Regarding Rahul Gandhi, 26 percent of respondents say they’ve always liked him, while 15 percent gained appreciation after the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Conversely, 16 percent dislike him, while 27 percent remain indifferent.
These survey findings highlight Modi’s enduring popularity as India’s prime minister and the rising approval of Rahul Gandhi. However, public opinion can change, and political dynamics may evolve leading up to future elections.