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by IANS |
Kerala has traditionally been regarded as a stronghold of the Left and Congress. However, a recent survey conducted by Political Vibe across 50 Assembly constituencies, indicates a shift in public perception, with wider acceptance of the central government's handling of national security matters. The survey contains views of 2,184 respondents. The response to Operation Sindoor and the subsequent ceasefire indicates a shift towards greater public support, including backing from minorities.
Strong Support for Ceasefire and Government Action
Over 72% of respondents said that India made the right decision in agreeing to the ceasefire. More than 80% expressed satisfaction, rating the decision either 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. Among them, Christian respondents, support for the Modi government's decisions was notably moderate but meaningful:
On the question of whether Rahul Gandhi would have done better, 65.73% said no - indicating confidence in the current government's leadership during national crises. Although full endorsement was limited, the numbers suggest a growing openness among Christian voters, especially when it comes to national security matters and military effectiveness.
On the other hand, the Muslim community delivered a more cautious but still layered verdict:
A significant 59.06% believed Rahul Gandhi would have handled the situation better, reflecting continued political hesitation.
Despite these reservations, the acceptance of the ceasefire and the military's performance signals a partial endorsement-especially on matters of war and peace-separating national interest from political alignment.
Armed Forces Earn Widespread Praise
The Indian Armed Forces received overwhelming public support. Over 91% of respondents praised their handling of Operation Sindoor, and nearly 90% gave similarly high ratings for their response to ceasefire violations along the border. A strong 91.32% also felt that the government's procurement of new weapons significantly strengthened the military.
Support for modern weapon procurement was overwhelmingly high across communities, with 79.40% of Muslims and 87.76% of Christians in agreement.
Dissenting Voices Draw Lukewarm Response
Statements made by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and party leader M. Swaraj, who questioned the government's military action during Operation Sindoor, were largely met with disapproval from the public-including significant portions of minority communities.
According to the survey, 47.64% of all respondents disagreed with the anti-war remarks, while only 13.10% supported them. Among Christians, 46.17% rejected the statements, and even among Muslim respondents 29.27% expressed disagreement. The fact that such remarks failed to resonate widely, even within groups traditionally seen as sceptical of the BJP, reflects growing discomfort with political narratives that appear to undermine national security efforts. This trend further reinforces the perception that the BJP-led government's firm response to national security threats was widely welcomed across Kerala.
These results highlight a growing positive perception of the BJP, especially among minority communities. This indicates that the party's efforts to present itself as a defender of India's security and national interests are beginning to resonate more widely. As more voters start to see the party as a strong advocate for a secure and prosperous India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP's prospects in Kerala appear increasingly promising.
