Saturday, 12 Oct, 2024
By: Damini Mehta
All images sourced from Getty.
Amit Shah emerges as the top contender, with 25.7% support in August 2024 and although this marks a slight decline from 28.8% in January 2024 and 28.9% in August 2023, he remains the most favored alternative within the BJP
The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey conducted in August 2024 asked respondents who could succeed Narendra Modi as Prime Minister from the BJP. The data reveals a competitive landscape among key BJP figures, with Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath leading the pack.
Amit Shah emerges as the top contender, with 25.7% support in August 2024. Although this marks a slight decline from 28.8% in January 2024 and 28.9% in August 2023, Shah remains the most favored alternative within the BJP. His consistent popularity underscores his significant influence within the party and his strong political presence.
Yogi Adityanath follows closely behind, with 21.9% support in August 2024, down from 24.7% in January 2024 and 25.6% in August 2023. Despite this slight dip, Adityanath remains a formidable figure within the BJP, known for his hardline stance and strong governance in Uttar Pradesh. His relatively high and steady support indicates his potential as a future leader of the party.
Nitin Gadkari, another key figure, holds 15.3% support in August 2024, showing a slight decrease from 16.1% in January 2024. Gadkari’s appeal seems consistent, reflecting his reputation as an efficient administrator and a pragmatic leader within the BJP ranks.
Rajnath Singh and Shivraj Singh Chauhan are also notable contenders, though with significantly lower support. Rajnath Singh’s popularity has seen a slight increase to 5.8% in August 2024 from 4.2% in January 2024, indicating a modest resurgence. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, too, has seen an increase in his support base, rising to 5.4% in August 2024 from 2.2% in January 2024. However, their relatively lower standings suggest that while they are respected figures within the party, their chances of succeeding Modi appear limited compared to Shah and Adityanath.
In conclusion, the data indicates that Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath are the leading contenders to take over the BJP’s top leadership if Narendra Modi steps down. While other leaders like Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, and Shivraj Singh Chauhan have their supporters, they trail behind in public perception, highlighting the dominance of Shah and Adityanath within the party. This internal competition within the BJP could shape the party’s future leadership dynamics in the post-Modi era.
