The 18th Lok Sabha elections marked a shift in the political landscape, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost its brute majority and now relies on allies for support. The recent survey of urban Indians by Mint in July reflected this change, showing that while the BJP remains the most favored party with 46% approval ratings, the Congress has seen a slight improvement to 15%.
The survey, conducted by Mint in partnership with YouGov India and the Centre for Policy Research, involved over 10,000 respondents across various towns and cities. It highlighted that the BJP’s support has weakened among lower socio-economic groups and scheduled castes and tribes, while the Congress has made gains across different categories.
The post-election analysis suggests that the BJP may have been affected by complacency, as its mobilization efforts through campaigns did not reach all its supporters. In comparison, the Congress managed to reach beyond its base. When evaluating Narendra Modi’s government, around 29% rated the first term better and 20% preferred the second term.
As for the Opposition, there has been a slight improvement in perceptions of Rahul Gandhi as a serious politician capable of leading the Congress. A majority of respondents believe that the Congress should play a constructive role in Parliament and be willing to compromise for the nation’s benefit.
The survey also looked at the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a Congress-led bloc, and its ability to challenge the BJP government. While some respondents see potential for effective opposition, there are concerns about aggressive posturing and the possibility of leaders defecting to the BJP.
Overall, the data suggests that the BJP’s support among lower socio-economic groups has decreased, signaling a potential peak in Modi’s popularity. The Opposition’s image as a challenger has improved slightly, but there is still a significant gap between the two political alliances. Both sides cannot afford to be complacent in the current political scenario.
