NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Modi continues to be the first choice of the nation for the top job, cruising comfortably in the middle of his term and recovering from a dip in his popularity last year, according to the latest Mood of the Nation survey released by India Today.
The survey claimed his popularity has soared back impressively as half the respondents in the poll carried out this month said Modi is the best suited to be the new Prime Minister. Six months ago, only 40% preferred him. His popularity dipped to 37% in August 2015, a sharp fall from 57% in August 2014.
His nearest rival is Rahul Gandhi, though his rating dropped from 22 to 13%. Sonia Gandhi came third with a rating of 6% followed by Arvind Kejriwal preferred by only 4% respondents.
Modi not only scored on his personal popularity but also got a big “thumbs up” from the people on his government’s performance. The survey says the NDA is expected to win 304 seats, including 259 to the BJP if the Lok Sabha elections are held today.
The NDA’s present strength in the House is 336, including 282 belonging to the BJP. The latest seat forecast gives the Congress 54, only a marginal improvement over its lowest score of 44 in 2014.
Despite losing some seats, the NDA is projected to improve its vote share by 1%, from 39% in 2014 to 40%. Though the most popular among the current choices, Modi is still not rated as the best PM as Indira Gandhi tops the list with 23% picking her as the best PM ever, followed by Atal Behari Vajpayee 17%.
