A referendum on his move to demonetise currency, the INDIA TODAY-Karvy Insights survey gives Narendra Modi a ringing endorsement. But it also warns the PM about the lack of jobs and inflation.
LET’S BEGIN WITH what Narendra Modi is not. Whatever his opponents may say, the prime minister is not impetuous or hasty in any of his actions. Nor is he a gambler ever willing to risk all on a hunch and a prayer.
Then let’s look at what Modi is. Those who know him well and work with him closely say the man is a doer. He is a tough task master. He is open to ideas. His critics call him authoritarian, but ministers and bureaucrats who have dealt with him on issues beg to disagree with them. They say the prime minister is curious, asks pertinent questions and is ever willing to consider their suggestions. He has a strong sense of wanting to do the right thing and working out the rationale for a decision.
However, once Modi is convinced, he is decisive and exhibits courage, toughness and resilience to implement his ideas. His sense of timing has so far been impeccable. For Modi, there are no half measures. Or full stops. Another piece of advice: Never take him lightly—he means what he says.
The latest India Today-Karvy Insights Mood of the Nation (MOTN) poll vindicates this assessment of the prime minister. If in the August 2016 MOTN, Modi’s fortunes showed a mild upswing after the NDA’s seat forecasts had fallen precipitously in two consecutive MOTN polls, the January 2017 survey results bring glad tidings for the prime minister. It is the first major opinion poll since demonetisation, and voters have given Modi an unambiguous thumbs up. Were an election held today, the NDA would get 360 seats—a substantial gain of 56 seats over the survey done in August. What is more, the BJP tally alone would bring in 305 seats, giving it a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha and making it less dependent on its allies (see accompanying charts).
This story is from the February 06, 2017 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 06, 2017 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Mamata Pushback
The West Bengal Chief Minister Faces A BJP Onslaught On Issues Like Corruption And Women's Safety. Unwilling To Yield An Inch, The TMC Is Building A Narrative That The Saffron Party Is 'Anti-Bengali'
Who Will Win The Mahayuddh?
In Maharashtra's Most Complex Political War Ever, Shifting Alliances Fuel A Gripping Saga Of Power Struggles And Betrayals In The Pursuit Of Votes
Grand Young Master
Seventeen-yearold D. Gukesh has become the youngest player to win the Candidates chess tournament
SPORTING SPIRIT
BADMINTON PLAYER ASHWINI PONNAPPA, 34, IS OFF TO HER THIRD OLYMPICS, THIS TIME WITH A NEW PARTNER, TANISHA CRASTO
PORTRAITS OF A PEOPLE
Etchings by the colonial Flemish artist F. Baltazard Solvyns are getting a new lease of life in an exhibition at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Centennial Man
A seminal exhibition of K.G. Subramanyan's works in his birth centenary year at Emami Art, Kolkata takes an imaginative and immersive curatorial approach
Rhythms of Nature
ARTIST AND MUSIC COMPOSER GINGGER SHANKAR'S LATEST SINGLE COMBINES SOUTH INDIAN MUSIC WITH INUIT THROAT SINGING
SEARCHING FOR THE SOUND
Kashmiri musician Faheem Abdullah’s debut album Lost; Found is a collaborative effort
FOUND IN TRANSLATION
With its excellent translations, Songs of Tagore makes Rabindrasangit accessible to the non-Bengali reader
Of Freedom and Friendship
T.C.A. RAGHAVAN'S CIRCLES OF FREEDOM FOLLOWS THREE YOUNG MUSLIMS DRAWN INTO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE