Saturday, 12 Oct, 2024
By: Damini Mehta
Source: Getty
The data reveals that Narendra Modi is overwhelmingly seen as the best Prime Minister, with 51.7% of respondents supporting this view. BJP’s former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the second most popular choice followed by India's first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
The India Today-CVoter survey conducted in August 2024 provides intriguing insights into public opinion on who has been India's best Prime Minister so far. The data reveals that Narendra Modi is overwhelmingly seen as the best Prime Minister, with 51.7% of respondents supporting this view. This marks a significant increase from 43.7% in January 2024 and 42.6% in August 2023, indicating a growing consensus on his leadership, likely driven by his ongoing tenure and political impact.
BJP’s former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the second most popular choice, with 12.1% of respondents considering him the best Prime Minister. However, this represents a decline from 15.4% in January 2024 and 12.0% in August 2023, suggesting that his legacy, while still respected, is becoming less prominent in the public mind as Modi’s influence continues to rise.
India's first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, remains a strong figure in Indian political history, with 10.4% support in August 2024. Her popularity, however, has decreased from 14.3% in January 2024, reflecting a gradual decline in her influence among newer generations who may not have directly experienced her leadership.
Manmohan Singh, also a Congress PM, with 11.6% support in August 2024, shows a slight increase from 10.8% in January 2024. This indicates a stable appreciation for his tenure, likely due to his economic reforms and steady leadership, particularly during the UPA years. However, his support remains significantly lower than that of Modi, highlighting the latter’s dominance in public opinion.
Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, has seen a notable decline in public perception, with only 4.8% support in August 2024, down from 5.7% in January 2024. This suggests that his legacy, while foundational, is increasingly overshadowed by more recent leaders in the minds of the public.
Overall, the most striking finding from the survey is Narendra Modi’s rising stature as India’s best Prime Minister, with his support growing significantly over time. This reflects his continued influence and the impact of his policies, which have resonated strongly with the electorate. Meanwhile, figures like Vajpayee and Indira Gandhi, while still respected, are gradually losing prominence in the collective memory of the populace.
