Gujarat Poll Survey

An opinion poll by AC Nielsen for a Hindi news channel has claimed that Modi would lead BJP to a tally of 124 seats — up from 117 in 2007..
It would belie claims that opposition has made a dent in the Hindutva strongman’s armour after 10 years and instead show Congress as clueless. The poll claimed Congress would win only 51 seats — a drop of eight seats from its present tally.
The opinion polls have had a mixed record in the past, and are prone to be off the mark. But if Nielsen’s findings are to be interpreted, Brand Modi is holding its own despite a long innings as the CM that usually brings fatigue among voters. More importantly, it implies that saffron veteran Keshubhai Patel’s rebellion would come a cropper. The Nielsen poll predicted the Gujarat Parivartan Party would bag a paltry three seats.
Such a one-sided contest is set to have repercussions for national politics in view of Modi’s prime ministerial ambitions.
The Gujarat strongman is set to show an increase in his tally as evidence of his entrenched appeal among voters and appear a natural claimant for the leadership position in the crowded saffron line-up. Even Nielsen findings show that 53% voters want him to move to national politics.