Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party is poised to clinch a decisive victory in the upcoming general elections, ensuring a comfortable third term for Modi, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.
The “Mood of the Nation Poll,” conducted by private media group India Today, reveals that voters still view Modi as a popular nationalist figure who has spurred economic growth and enhanced international relations.
While the survey does not provide a breakdown of respondents by religion, it highlights the BJP’s projected success, potentially securing 335 of the 543 directly elected seats in the lower house of parliament. This marks a decrease from the BJP-led coalition’s triumph of over 350 seats in the 2019 elections, although top BJP leaders express aspirations to surpass 400 seats, aiming for an unprecedented victory.
The poll indicates that the INDIA political alliance, comprising the main opposition Congress and several regional parties, could secure 166 seats. Regional parties are anticipated to perform strongly in southern Indian states, where the BJP’s influence may wane.
However, the reliability of Indian polls and surveys in predicting election outcomes remains mixed, with past discrepancies in the world’s largest democracy.
Under Modi’s leadership, India’s economy has ascended to the fifth-largest globally, up from the tenth-largest a decade ago, with robust growth compared to other major nations. Since assuming office in 2014, Modi has prioritized infrastructure development and promoted Hindu nationalism, garnering support among certain segments of the population.
The survey highlights various factors contributing to Modi’s popularity, including his role in inaugurating a grand temple dedicated to Hindu deity Ram in Ayodhya, built on the site of a historic mosque demolished by hardline Hindus in 1992. Additionally, a significant percentage of respondents commend Modi for elevating India’s international standing and for the decision to revoke the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the country’s only Muslim-majority region bordering Pakistan.