Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval ratings have risen to the highest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a poll conducted by LocalCircles.

The poll shows a jump in his popularity as he met expectations during his second term when India was battling a brutal coronavirus wave.

According to 67 per cent of the 64,000 people who participated in the poll, Modi fulfilled his promises during a difficult time when crematoriums and hospitals were overwhelmed.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-eight-years-of-narendra-modi-governance-483596/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

His ratings have risen from 51 per cent in 2021 and 62 per cent in 2020 when the pandemic had hit India.

When asked if they thought that the Indian government was better prepared to handle the third wave of Covid-19 infections, people answered positively.

With 37 per cent showing approval of an increase in confidence in the government’s handling of joblessness, 73 per cent said they were optimistic about their future and that of their families in India.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pm-modis-major-achievements-as-his-government-completes-eight-years-at-centre-483403">PM Modi's major achievements as his government completes eight years at Centre</a>

While over 50 per cent said doing business in India has become easier, 60 per cent of those surveyed said the government has been effective in improving communal harmony.

The ratings come as a major boost for the Modi government which will be seeking a third term in elections due in 2024.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval ratings have risen to the highest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a poll conducted by LocalCircles.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval ratings have risen to the highest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a poll conducted by LocalCircles. The poll shows a jump in his popularity as he met expectations during his second term when India was battling a brutal coronavirus wave. According to 67 per cent of the 64,000 people who participated in the poll, Modi fulfilled his promises during a difficult time when crematoriums and hospitals were overwhelmed. His ratings have risen from 51 per cent in 2021 and 62 per cent in 2020 when the pandemic had hit India. When asked if they thought that the Indian government was better prepared to handle the third wave of Covid-19 infections, people answered positively. With 37 per cent showing approval of an increase in confidence in the government’s handling of joblessness, 73 per cent said they were optimistic about their future and that of their families in India. Also see | PM Modi's major achievements as his government completes eight years at Centre While over 50 per cent said doing business in India has become easier, 60 per cent of those surveyed said the government has been effective in improving communal harmony. The ratings come as a major boost for the Modi government which will be seeking a third term in elections due in 2024. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Indian PM Narendra Modi's approval ratings rise to highest since start of COVID-19 pandemic

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286. This is four more than the party's 2014 tally.

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Thank you India! The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations. 
 
I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance &amp; hardwork. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1131527111804477440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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BJP's victory was evident from the moment counting began at 8am on Thursday. The BJP's graph kept climbing leaps and bounds and by 9.30am, had crossed the halfway mark of 272 making it clear that the party is again going to form the government at the Centre under the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-results-2019-thank-you-india-faith-placed-in-our-alliance-is-humbling-pm-modi-221011">leadership of Narendra Modi</a>.

The BJP grabbed the pole position riding on the back of massive gains it made in north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi - the Hindi heartland of India. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state and one with the highest number of Lok Sabha seats - 80 - is ready to hand over 59 seats to NDA. Though it is less than its 2014 tally of 71, the party has still managed to emerge as the single largest party in the state against the combined challenge of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The 'Mahagathbandhan' is so far leading on 20 seats in UP.

Among the most shocking upset of this election came from Amethi, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025">Congress president Rahul Gandhi</a> lost against BJP's Smriti Irani by 35,000 votes. In 2014, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/has-rahul-gandhi-become-a-liability-for-congress-221005">Rahul Gandhi</a> had defeated Irani but by a narrow margin of over a lakh votes. Gandhi, who also contested from Wayanad in Kerala, won the seat by more than eight lakh votes.

The regional satraps, meanwhile, were able holding on to their forts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is ahead of Bhojpuri singer Nirahua in Azamgarh seat, his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is leading from Mainpuri. Another SP heavyweight Azam Khan is fighting a close battle against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada from Rampur.

In Bihar, the BJP-led NDA is leading in 38 of the state's 40 seats. The party is in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar. As per the seat-sharing agreement between the three parties, the BJP and JD(U) fought on 17 seats each and LJP on six. In the opposition Mahagathbandhan, the RJD has contested 19 seats giving up Arrah from its quota for the CPI (ML), followed by Congress (09), RLSP (05), HAM (03) and VIP (03).

In the high-stakes battle between Union minister Giriraj Singh and former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar, Singh emerged victorious.

Watch: BJP party workers celebrate in West Bengal and Mumbai

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The most-watched state in the election clearly was West Bengal where the BJP was pitted against Trinamool Congress. What made the electoral battle interesting was the skirmishes reported from different parts of the state between TMC and BJP workers. The workers of both parties accused each other of electoral malpractices and violence. Most of the exit polls had predicted an unprecedented surge of the BJP in Bengal this election, BJP president Amit Shah had even said that the party will win 23 seats in Bengal. The predictions seem to be very close to the current tally on the BJP - it is leading in 18 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, last time it had just won two. The TMC, meanwhile, won 24.

Celebrations began at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi shortly after trends indicated that the party has already crossed the halfway mark of 272. BJP workers danced and distributed sweets among themselves.

Most of the exit polls on Sunday had predicted a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-2019-look-forward-to-working-for-peace-progress-and-prosperity-in-south-asia-imran-khan-congratulates-pm-modi-220992">win for Narendra Modi</a>-led NDA - some had even said that the victory margin will be a record.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on course to win the 2019 Lok Sabha handsomely. The NDA is so far leading on 348 seats out of 542 on which the polls were held; the BJP's tally stood at 286. This is four more than the party's 2014 tally. Thank you India! The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to fulfil people's aspirations. I salute every BJP Karyakarta for their determination, perseverance & hardwork. They went home to home, elaborating on our development agenda. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019 × BJP's victory was evident from the moment counting began at 8am on Thursday. The BJP's graph kept climbing leaps and bounds and by 9.30am, had crossed the halfway mark of 272 making it clear that the party is again going to form the government at the Centre under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The BJP grabbed the pole position riding on the back of massive gains it made in north Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi - the Hindi heartland of India. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state and one with the highest number of Lok Sabha seats - 80 - is ready to hand over 59 seats to NDA. Though it is less than its 2014 tally of 71, the party has still managed to emerge as the single largest party in the state against the combined challenge of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The 'Mahagathbandhan' is so far leading on 20 seats in UP. Among the most shocking upset of this election came from Amethi, where Congress president Rahul Gandhi lost against BJP's Smriti Irani by 35,000 votes. In 2014, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Irani but by a narrow margin of over a lakh votes. Gandhi, who also contested from Wayanad in Kerala, won the seat by more than eight lakh votes. The regional satraps, meanwhile, were able holding on to their forts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is ahead of Bhojpuri singer Nirahua in Azamgarh seat, his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is leading from Mainpuri. Another SP heavyweight Azam Khan is fighting a close battle against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada from Rampur. In Bihar, the BJP-led NDA is leading in 38 of the state's 40 seats. The party is in alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar. As per the seat-sharing agreement between the three parties, the BJP and JD(U) fought on 17 seats each and LJP on six. In the opposition Mahagathbandhan, the RJD has contested 19 seats giving up Arrah from its quota for the CPI (ML), followed by Congress (09), RLSP (05), HAM (03) and VIP (03). In the high-stakes battle between Union minister Giriraj Singh and former JNU president Kanhaiya Kumar, Singh emerged victorious. Watch: BJP party workers celebrate in West Bengal and Mumbai The most-watched state in the election clearly was West Bengal where the BJP was pitted against Trinamool Congress. What made the electoral battle interesting was the skirmishes reported from different parts of the state between TMC and BJP workers. The workers of both parties accused each other of electoral malpractices and violence. Most of the exit polls had predicted an unprecedented surge of the BJP in Bengal this election, BJP president Amit Shah had even said that the party will win 23 seats in Bengal. The predictions seem to be very close to the current tally on the BJP - it is leading in 18 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, last time it had just won two. The TMC, meanwhile, won 24. Celebrations began at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi shortly after trends indicated that the party has already crossed the halfway mark of 272. BJP workers danced and distributed sweets among themselves. Most of the exit polls on Sunday had predicted a win for Narendra Modi-led NDA - some had even said that the victory margin will be a record.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Modi wave sweeps India again, NDA poised to win Lok Sabha elections

Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/poll-scam-money-used-for-naamdars-campaign-pm-modi-targets-rahul-gandhi-213678"> Narendra Modi</a> Friday said opposition leaders are in a race to support Pakistan on the issue of military operations against terror camps in the neighbouring country.

Addressing an election rally in Jabalpur, he said after completion of voting in more than 300 Lok Sabha seats, his opponents have accepted that there is a (Modi) "wave" and have knelt before it.

Modi told the gathering that their votes in favour of the BJP in 2014 made India strong and forced the world to look at the country with a different perspective.

"Your one vote has made the country strong and changed the outlook of the world towards India in the last five years," Modi said.

The PM said the opposition has always stood against India's stance on key issues with other countries.

"They always stood in opposition to the countrys stand. Opposition leaders are in a race to support Pakistan on the issue of surgical strike, air strike or Doklam dispute (with China in 2017)," he said.

Speaking on the issue of terrorism, Modi said military operations against terror camps launched under his watch were just "trailer"".

"India is changing now. We have killed them (terrorists) by entering into their den. And whatever we have done is just a trailer, a sample. We have to wipe out terrorism from its roots," the prime minister said.

Modi said after the end of three phases of Lok Sabha polls, covering 303 seats, it is clear which way people have voted.

"The mandate for 300 seats is in. Those who were saying there was no wave, have now realised (that public opinion in favour of the BJP) and have now knelt before it," the prime minister said.

"A sea of people undeterred by the scorching heat have gathered here...This shows they have joined hands for a building a new India," he said, pointing to the large crowd gathered at the rally.

Modi said his government implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in larger public interest and to boost the nations tax collection.

"The Congress mentioned about implementing the GST regime three times its manifesto but couldn't do so as it lacked (political) will," he added.

The rally was organised in support of BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jabalpur Rakesh Singh, who is the sitting MP from the seat. Singh is also Madhya Pradesh BJP president.

Madhya Pradesh, which has 29 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in four phases starting from April 29.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said opposition leaders are in a race to support Pakistan on the issue of military operations against terror camps in the neighbouring country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said opposition leaders are in a race to support Pakistan on the issue of military operations against terror camps in the neighbouring country. Addressing an election rally in Jabalpur, he said after completion of voting in more than 300 Lok Sabha seats, his opponents have accepted that there is a (Modi) "wave" and have knelt before it. Modi told the gathering that their votes in favour of the BJP in 2014 made India strong and forced the world to look at the country with a different perspective. "Your one vote has made the country strong and changed the outlook of the world towards India in the last five years," Modi said. The PM said the opposition has always stood against India's stance on key issues with other countries. "They always stood in opposition to the countrys stand. Opposition leaders are in a race to support Pakistan on the issue of surgical strike, air strike or Doklam dispute (with China in 2017)," he said. Speaking on the issue of terrorism, Modi said military operations against terror camps launched under his watch were just "trailer"". "India is changing now. We have killed them (terrorists) by entering into their den. And whatever we have done is just a trailer, a sample. We have to wipe out terrorism from its roots," the prime minister said. Modi said after the end of three phases of Lok Sabha polls, covering 303 seats, it is clear which way people have voted. "The mandate for 300 seats is in. Those who were saying there was no wave, have now realised (that public opinion in favour of the BJP) and have now knelt before it," the prime minister said. "A sea of people undeterred by the scorching heat have gathered here...This shows they have joined hands for a building a new India," he said, pointing to the large crowd gathered at the rally. Modi said his government implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in larger public interest and to boost the nations tax collection. "The Congress mentioned about implementing the GST regime three times its manifesto but couldn't do so as it lacked (political) will," he added. The rally was organised in support of BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jabalpur Rakesh Singh, who is the sitting MP from the seat. Singh is also Madhya Pradesh BJP president. Madhya Pradesh, which has 29 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in four phases starting from April 29.

Those who said there is no 'wave' have now knelt before it: PM Modi

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that there was no "wave" in the country like the one in 2014.

Addressing the party workers at the Sena's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he said there was no wave like 2014.

"There is no wave as it was in 2014," he said, suggesting that the BJP would not be able to replicate its 2014 success in the Lok Sabha elections next year.

In 2014, the BJP's success in Lok Sabha elections had been widely attributed to a "Modi wave".

In another dig at the BJP leadership, he said "Shani" (Saturn) and "Mangal" (Mars) have become problem-creators in the country's horoscope. 
"You know who am I talking about," he told the crowd, without elaborating further.&nbsp;

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that there was no "wave" in the country like the one in 2014.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that there was no "wave" in the country like the one in 2014. Addressing the party workers at the Sena's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he said there was no wave like 2014. "There is no wave as it was in 2014," he said, suggesting that the BJP would not be able to replicate its 2014 success in the Lok Sabha elections next year. In 2014, the BJP's success in Lok Sabha elections had been widely attributed to a "Modi wave". In another dig at the BJP leadership, he said "Shani" (Saturn) and "Mangal" (Mars) have become problem-creators in the country's horoscope. "You know who am I talking about," he told the crowd, without elaborating further.

Uddhav Thackeray takes a dig at Modi, says no 2014-like wave now

Six hours into counting and the results are self-evident. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-leads-in-most-constituencies-modi-campaigned-rahul-effect-fades-for-congress-136926">Prime Minister Modi's campaign form</a> in the last leg of elections has delivered Karnataka to the BJP, it was what saved the party in Gujarat - a political equivalent of slog-over pinch hitting that Dhoni, Kohli and some of the other best finishers in cricket would envy and want to emulate.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866">Track Live Results of Karnataka Assembly Elections</a>

Like it or lump it, when you want a 'neta' to deliver and lead the party on the campaign trail, there is no one better than the indefatigable PM who has delivered state after state for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

A beaming Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad did the rounds of TV studios and said on air: "Democracy and accountability go hand-in-hand and the Congress president should look at his own party. The country has accepted Narendra Modi's leadership. It is not the BJP's job to strengthen the party, they have to see why the people didn't vote for them."

Modi had on the campaign trail quipped that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-results-what-didnt-work-for-congress-136929">the Congress</a> will be reduced to 'PPP' party - alluding to the fact that <a href="www.wionews.com/india-news/bjps-dream-of-a-congress-free-nation-inching-towards-reality--136946">all the party has</a> are the states of Puducherry, Punjab and Parivaar (then Gandhi family). Perhaps the M from Mizoram did not fit the pun - but it is a fact that after its loss in Karnataka, the Congress has its governments in just the three states of Punjab, Puducherry and Mizoram - tracts of land on which just under three per cent of India's population dwell.

Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' (Modi wave) visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh. No 'visible' BJP wave led to 300+ seats there. Of course you sometimes need the right political prism to see a wave and many on the other side of the divide, naysayers and even fence sitters of my ilk, can sometimes miss what stares them in plain sight.

Faced with the chief minister in Siddaramaiah who wasn't a pushover, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics:-bjp-celebrate-victory-in-karnataka-136956">the BJP</a> pinned its hopes largely on the central government's track record and Prime Minister Modi's charisma to get them out of a tough spot. On Saturday, exit polls were divided and sensible pollsters said it was too close to call. The BJP top-brass seemed quietly confident, the Congress claimed victory is what now seems like braggadocio. Dismissing the exit polls as 'entertainment', BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had even announced that he would take oath on May 17.

What the Congress missed was also the fact that a popular chief minister may not combat anti-incumbency - the performance of the MLAs matters. And while these results may not have a direct fallout in the PM Modi's 2019 bid for a second-term in office, the prime minister is clearly a captain who leads from the front and comes up with the goods when the going gets tough - a trait that augurs well for the BJP as it will look to buck anti-incumbency and retain Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh later this year.

Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh.

Six hours into counting and the results are self-evident. Prime Minister Modi's campaign form in the last leg of elections has delivered Karnataka to the BJP, it was what saved the party in Gujarat - a political equivalent of slog-over pinch hitting that Dhoni, Kohli and some of the other best finishers in cricket would envy and want to emulate. Track Live Results of Karnataka Assembly Elections Like it or lump it, when you want a 'neta' to deliver and lead the party on the campaign trail, there is no one better than the indefatigable PM who has delivered state after state for the Bharatiya Janata Party. A beaming Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad did the rounds of TV studios and said on air: "Democracy and accountability go hand-in-hand and the Congress president should look at his own party. The country has accepted Narendra Modi's leadership. It is not the BJP's job to strengthen the party, they have to see why the people didn't vote for them." Modi had on the campaign trail quipped that the Congress will be reduced to 'PPP' party - alluding to the fact that all the party has are the states of Puducherry, Punjab and Parivaar (then Gandhi family). Perhaps the M from Mizoram did not fit the pun - but it is a fact that after its loss in Karnataka, the Congress has its governments in just the three states of Punjab, Puducherry and Mizoram - tracts of land on which just under three per cent of India's population dwell. Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' (Modi wave) visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh. No 'visible' BJP wave led to 300+ seats there. Of course you sometimes need the right political prism to see a wave and many on the other side of the divide, naysayers and even fence sitters of my ilk, can sometimes miss what stares them in plain sight. Faced with the chief minister in Siddaramaiah who wasn't a pushover, the BJP pinned its hopes largely on the central government's track record and Prime Minister Modi's charisma to get them out of a tough spot. On Saturday, exit polls were divided and sensible pollsters said it was too close to call. The BJP top-brass seemed quietly confident, the Congress claimed victory is what now seems like braggadocio. Dismissing the exit polls as 'entertainment', BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had even announced that he would take oath on May 17. What the Congress missed was also the fact that a popular chief minister may not combat anti-incumbency - the performance of the MLAs matters. And while these results may not have a direct fallout in the PM Modi's 2019 bid for a second-term in office, the prime minister is clearly a captain who leads from the front and comes up with the goods when the going gets tough - a trait that augurs well for the BJP as it will look to buck anti-incumbency and retain Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh later this year.

Karnataka election results show Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'magic' works

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Indian PM Narendra Modi's approval ratings rise to highest since start of COVID-19 pandemic

Lok Sabha election results 2019: Modi wave sweeps India again, NDA poised to win Lok Sabha elections

Those who said there is no 'wave' have now knelt before it: PM Modi

Uddhav Thackeray takes a dig at Modi, says no 2014-like wave now

Karnataka election results show Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'magic' works