Who is Credited for Performing Better: Modi or NDA?

By: Damini Mehta

In August 2024, 58.2% of respondents rated the NDA government’s performance as "Outstanding or Good," a significant decrease from 67.1% in January 2023 indicating a declining trend in positive sentiment toward the government. Narendra Modi's personal performance saw a parallel trend. In August 2024, 58.6% rated his performance as "Outstanding or Good," down from 71.6% in January 2023.

The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey conducted in August 2024 provides a comprehensive view of public perception regarding Narendra Modi’s performance as Prime Minister and the overall performance of the NDA government. The survey tracks changes over time, revealing key shifts in public opinion. 

NDA Government’s Performance 

In August 2024, 58.2% of respondents rated the NDA government’s performance as "Outstanding or Good," a significant decrease from 67.1% in January 2023. This decline indicates a reduction in positive sentiment toward the government, which has been consistent since January 2022, when 58.7% rated the government favorably. Conversely, those rating the government’s performance as "Poor or Very Poor" increased to 25.1% in August 2024, up from 17.1% in January 2023 and 18.8% in August 2023. This growing dissatisfaction may suggest that the government's recent policies or performance have not met public expectations. 

Narendra Modi’s Performance as Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi's personal performance saw a parallel trend. In August 2024, 58.6% rated his performance as "Outstanding or Good," down from 71.6% in January 2023 and 60.5% in January 2024. The consistent decline from a high of 71.6% in January 2023 reflects diminishing public enthusiasm for Modi’s leadership, though a majority still view his performance positively. 

On the other hand, the "Poor or Very Poor" rating for Modi’s performance rose to 22.1% in August 2024, a slight improvement from 23.6% in January 2024 but still significantly higher than the 16.2% recorded in January 2023. This indicates that while dissatisfaction has slightly decreased since January 2024, it remains notably higher than in previous years, reflecting increased criticism or unmet expectations. 

Striking Findings 

The most striking finding from the survey is the overall decline in positive ratings for both Modi and the NDA government. While they continue to enjoy majority support, the steady decrease in "Outstanding or Good" ratings, coupled with the increase in "Poor or Very Poor" ratings, suggests a growing undercurrent of dissatisfaction among the electorate. 

This trend could be attributed to various factors, including economic challenges, governance issues, or unfulfilled promises. The data indicates that while Modi and the NDA government remain popular, their grip on public approval is weakening, which could have significant implications for their political future. 

In summary, the survey highlights a subtle but consistent erosion of public support for both Modi and the NDA government, pointing to potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by political opponents in future elections.