Whispers’ Survey: Rahul Gandhi gains acceptability, has shed the ‘confused politician’ image

With political temperature heating up and Opposition parties mounting pressure against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government and the GenZ protests over resignation of Chief Election Commissioner and halting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Delhi and other parts of the country, Whispers in the Corridors held an online survey to judge the mood of the surfers about the opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. The survey was specific about whether Rahul Gandhi has nailed it and emerged a strong leader who can now challenge the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. 

The reactions of the surfers have been mixed but very surprising as a large number claimed that Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the biggest opposition face. This is probably the first time that the scale has tilted in favour of Rahul Gandhi. 54.5% said Yes agreeing that Rahul is the best choice as the Opposition face and that he has improved his credibility and acceptability.Some claimed that the media focus about him being confused has shifted to a responsible leader. Others have appreciated him for the questions raised by him against the government’s functioning. A respondent wrote that Modi's delusion is falling through. Indians may be poor and frugal but they aren't stupid.

On the other hand 45.5% replied No, quoting that he is still a confused and irresponsible dynast.

The online survey question was “Has Rahul Gandhi now emerged as the biggest Opposition face? Why do you think so?”

Here are the answers of the some surfers ---                

Nav:  Yes, his questions to the government are practical and genuine.

Anmol Kapoor: Yes, Media presence has shifted for him from a confused guy to a responsible seeker of affairs. India is demonstrated as a Welfare State. Socialist Government. Educated Leader. Need of the hour. 

Sukesh: Yes, Rahul Gandhi has definitely emerged as a much stronger Opposition face than he was a few years ago. Earlier, many people doubted his consistency and leadership. Now, the BJP government itself is giving the Opposition more issues and political space to challenge it. Rahul is increasingly doing what a Leader of the Opposition is expected to do — question, protest, raise public issues and remain visible beyond elections. If he continues with the same consistency and also presents a strong alternative vision, he can become a serious Prime Ministerial contender in the future.                                                         

Ajay: Yes, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a more active and assertive Opposition leader by consistently raising public-interest issues, questioning the government on governance and accountability and seeking to strengthen Opposition unity and democratic institutions.

Mohd Fahad: Yes, he deserves one chance now. 15 years of BJP government is enough now.                                                         

Paras: Yes, he is raising genuine questions and the ruling coalition is not giving logical responses. He is coming up with proper homework and asking evidence-based questions. The ruling coalition is unable to present any facts to counter his questions.                                                              

Anubhav: Yes, clearly following Nehruvian ideology of National Unity and social growth, no communal angle, gender equality as a principal, educated                                                        

Pawan: Yes, he raises the right issues. He is now the need of the hour.

Abhishek Kadiyala: Yes, his policy stances are still shaky but a true politician is identified by the problems he identifies in the society. Rahul has done it this time. Moving away from things like 90% reservation to more pressing issues like democratic rights and freedoms.  

Kumar Bharghav: Yes, what uprooted UPA-2 government out was the elitism of the public courts. Modi vouched to be different. No dynasty, but self-made destiny. I bought into that vision, albeit wary of his tendencies of hate. Not only has he failed to be different but has come off as an utterly incompetent leader. That would still be fine, but what justifies the hatred and propaganda that form the bases of this government? But now, Modi's delusion is falling through. I am a Hindu. Not conservative, but Hindu. I think that the treacherous game of 'dharm' is now over. Indians may be poor and frugal but they aren't stupid.

Saurav: Yes, the circumstances and once he played the role of uplifting the BJP has now become vice-versa.

Also there is now stability in his political decisions, earlier he used to flip from one topic to another, besides public backing and awareness.

Aravind: Yes, because the ruling party has become a dictator, and they're not even able to listen to the common man. The worst government and worst Prime Minister of Indian history.

Abdullah: Yes, he has now moved on from the power of his surname towards earning his own right to rule and become India's next Prime Minister.

Pablo Escobar: Yes, he is consistently raising genuine issues and is standing with the citizens.                    

Haider Hussain: Yes, he speaks so politely and comes as an educated person with full knowledge of India’s democracy and welfare.                

Arnav: Yes, he is much more visible now than earlier and has been able to bring public attention to every protest or topic he has rallied on recently.    

Utkarsh Kumar: Yes, not a person with a golden spoon, anymore. He is now connected with the masses, just like the other LOP's who became PM in the future.

Omkar: Yes, he's bold and has that audacity to face people in any way it comes. Thinks of longer vision than popular visions.            

VIEWS AGAINST RAHUL

Sanjiv Tyagi: No, he’s a loser! He won’t tell us what his vision and policies are for the country. Only agenda is to subvert the system despite not having a mandate! 

Ankur: No, he does not have credibility and lacks common sense.  

Ashu: No, he is not taking up real issues such as corruption, employment, health sector, basic education until then he will never get the support of the majority in India. He has to be clear and vocal on the issue which hurts most of the population and should question ‘rewdi’ culture.      

Vartika Jha: No, he is not able to pick the issues related to the common man.    

Neeraj: No, he is still raising issues which are false. And I’ve seen his supporters, in fact I know them personally. All clueless. You ask them a factual question, they start getting personal with all sorts of absurd responses and abuses.      

Anirban Das: No, he isn't a mature politician. His politics is very street style, probably good to become a corporator or a mayor, but not the leader of opposition or an aspiring prime minister. He just lacks gravity.

Naveen: No, apparently yes, but in elections winning matters! Where there is a direct contest between BJP and Congress without a strong regional party in a state, Congress’s strike rate is in single digit. Congress without its allies in the south is ZERO! Very few votes look at the face of Rahul Gandhi. Unlike the BJP with Narendra Modi or for that matter any other leader, Rahul Gandhi needs allies’/regional parties more rather than the other way around.

Anjali Issar: No, he's protesting illogically, but he has no ground support. Where are the votes.? What happened to Congress in Tripura and Assam? There were no EVMs. The whole so-called opposition is a joke. 

Yogesh: No, perpetual lies against the government. He has been at it since 2014—no proof no evidence that’s why he does not approach the courts. 

Shailendra: No, shouting on the streets holding the constitution to save it without following a single constitutional process. He appears more like he’s trying to create anarchy without any facts or consistency on issues he raises. And even if I don't want to vote for the current government in power, who should I vote for— Rahul Gandhi, for Opposing govt? Where is the Congresses manifesto, who is talking about it. I personally have zero idea about what Congress will do other than reversing a few policies implemented by the current govt.      

Parth Sandeep:  No, Rahul Gandhi is an incompetent person who has never held any accountable position. He’s just trying to fish in the troubled waters. Never ever has he produced any single evidence to substantiate his bogus claims.  

(These are views of the respondents who participated in the online survey and does not in any way reflect the editorial policy of Whispers In The Corridors. Some of the responses have been modified for editorial purposes while some others with extreme views and crude words have not been used keeping in view of sensitivities and editorial discretion.)