DNA Edit: Pre-poll good news

Regardless of what the Opposition leaders would want us to believe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity among Indians is unchallenged. The survey carried out by Pew Research Center, a US-based fact tank, reveals that the PM is way ahead of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The survey carried out between February 21 and March 10, 2017, was post-demonetisation and pre-GST.

Though the cash crunch and the attendant suffering in the wake of currency disruption couldn’t dent the PM’s credibility, the GST reform came in for criticism mainly from traders and businessmen. It is worth noting that the PM, in an effort to contain the negative perception of GST, had undertaken several efforts, including delivering a Powerpoint presentation. To be fair, the criticism against GST was directed mostly at the Finance Ministry.

However, the Pew findings make good news for the BJP, for whom the elections in Gujarat are getting increasingly crucial in view of mounting Opposition challenge. Elections apart, the PM’s style of governance has found resonance with the common people. The citizens of India have reposed their faith in a man who is radically different from his predecessors —never shying from taking steps that may not be popular in the short term, but have the potential to bring about a transformation in the lives of the people. Structural reforms like demonetisation and GST are geared towards a national goal instead of narrow partisan interests. However, the burden of collective faith is a cross to bear. The real challenge for the PM now is to continue to live up to these expectations. And, his work will have to do the talking.