modi birthday: Narendra Modi's image bright but middle class ka dil maange more: ET Online survey

Narendra Modi's image bright but middle class ka dil maange more: ET Online survey

18 Sep , 2021 By : monika singh

Key takeaways

Policies fine but better health facilities a demand
Household budgets hit by food inflation, rising petrol prices
Country stronger; PM image may carry UP
Farmers’ protest largely perceived as led by middlemen

Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to tinge his 71st birthday celebrations with a touch of realism. The middle-class is unhappy with food inflation and rising petrol prices, according to a survey run by ET Online.

The reader also thinks Modi could have handled the second wave of the pandemic better, and did not read the signals right. The survey, which drew over 7,000 responses, offers a glimpse of the mood of the nation, especially as the government jogs into crucial state polls and unleashes an ambitious economic reforms agenda focused on asset sale, and reforms in telecom, auto and banking.
ET Online's readership is made up largely of people in the 18-35 age group.

The PM’s image, though, shines bright and most people feel the country is stronger, geopolitically, in his leadership. This will help him in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. The Centre's asset monetization plan got a massive thumbs up from people. So did his effort at self-reliance. The thorn in Modi government’s side – protesting farmers – has limited support.

One in every two people believe the farmers’ protest is led by middlemen.

Health
Of those surveyed, 40?lt Modi government didn’t read signals of the Coronavirus second wave right. They feel the 2nd wave, that hit India brutally in April-May, could have been handled better. One in every three respondents wants more hospitals to be built in the country to improve health infrastructure.

…and pockets
More than half, or 54% of those polled, felt rising prices of food and rising petrol prices have shaken their household budgets.
So the big take-aways for Prime Minister Modi are right there: the middle-class is unhappy about its health and wealth: it would have liked to see a better response to the pandemic, and rising costs of food and petrol are taking a toll on household budgets.

Policies fine
More than 2 in every 3 respondents to the survey applauded Modi government’s asset monetization programme – whereby the government will invite private players to own and manage airports, roads and railways for a fixed time period – despite knowing that they, the consumers, might have to pay more for road and train usage. People also said they believe India will slowly get to China’s position under Modi’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat, and it was a right call to give ..

…and so is the nation
Respondents felt India is stronger in Modi’s leadership, and they feel more secure. The Prime Minister’s image, they feel, will sway voters in the Uttar Pradesh election. One in every five of those surveyed, though, admitted elections in Uttar Pradesh are notoriously tough to predict.