Mood Of Nation: Rahul Gandhi Finally Picking Up?

It has been a long time since there has been a shift in power in India as the NDA alliance is consistently remaining in top position in the country. On top of that, there is very little prospect going the way of Rahul Gandhi who happens to be the designated opposition leader.

The Mood of the Nation 2026 survey conducted by India Today presents a balanced picture of public opinion on politics, governance and leadership in India ahead of the next general election.

Nearly 50 percent of respondents believe political parties should not be allowed to promise or distribute freebies, reflecting concerns over fiscal responsibility and the long term impact on the economy.

Views on the electoral process remain divided. While 57 percent feel that elections in India are free and fair, a sizeable 37 percent disagree, indicating lingering doubts about institutional trust among a significant section of voters.

The Congress party’s role as the opposition has drawn mixed but noteworthy feedback. Around 41 percent of respondents rate its performance as good, suggesting that the party has managed to improve its standing to some extent in the public eye.

When it comes to the failures of the present government, price rise tops the list, cited by 20 percent of respondents. Unemployment follows closely at 17 percent, while 9 percent believe economic growth has been the biggest concern.

On the economic front, 49 percent of respondents say their consumption patterns have remained unchanged despite GST rate cuts, pointing to limited relief at the household level.

In terms of leadership preference within the INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi leads with 29 percent support, followed by Mamata Banerjee at 7 percent, while Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal are tied at 6 percent each. It appears that the Indian population is slowly, but surely starting to look at Rahul Gandhi as a capable of position later and a potential choice to play a powerful role.