National magazine survey shows dip in Naveen’s popularity

Bhubaneswar: A year after the India Today magazine heaped Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with all sorts of praises for charting a remarkable turnaround of the State, the latest poll survey by the same magazine tells quite a different story.

According to the 'Mood of the Nation' survey conducted by India Today, Patnaik was placed sixth among country’s best chief ministers list which was topped by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Likewise, in the list for the most sought after prime ministerial candidate, Patnaik has won just two percent votes as compared to last year when he garnered five percent votes thus showing a decline in his popularity.

However, CM Naveen has managed to stay on top when it comes to popularity within one's own state.

Earlier last year, Patnaik had pipped everyone to win the Best Administrator in the “Outlook Speakout” awards presented by the Outlook magazine.

In issue of July 3, 2017, India Today had carried Naveen Patnaik on the cover page for effecting Odisha's remarkable turnaround from being one of the country’s most backward States to a developing one.

BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma said “CM Patnaik is the leader in the hearts of the Odisha people. He does not need any certificate or award to prove his popularity.”

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said the survey report is an indicator of the fact that with elections round the corner, popularity of both the state and the central government will decline more in coming days.

Odisha BJP Legislature Party leader KV Singhdeo said that decline in Naveen’s popularity is not a new thing, but he has been losing his popularity since the last Panchayat elections.

On the other hand, the survey report has also hinted at a decline in NDA’s popularity at the Centre.

As compared to the earlier survey held in January this year, the UPA will get 20 seats more than its 102 tally. While the NDA will retain its power with 281 seats, the rest of the 140 seats will go to other parties if elections are held now, the survey revealed.

The biannual poll also hinted that in view of the 2019 elections, regional parties could be game changers.

However, the BJP refuted the survey findings with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying that while the Centre is planning a health scheme for 50 crore people of the country, a poll conducted with a handful of people cannot give the whole picture.