As you may already know, India is not only the most populated country in the world but the biggest democracy on the planet as well. So no wonder, the politicians here are among the most popular ones in the world, like Narendra Modi. And since this is the election time right now in the country, most of you want to know who actually are the popular politicians, right? Well, that’s what today’s post is all about, here we will talk about the top 10 most popular politicians in India as of 2024. So let’s get going without further ado, shall we?
1. Narendra Modi
To start this list, there is literally no other politician in the country as popular as the current PM, Narendra Modi. And his story from a poor kid to becoming the PM of the country is quite an inspirational one. Later in life, he remained the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, during which time his distinct form of governance and economic policies were followed. In 2014, Modi became the Prime Minister after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s massive win in the General Elections. From demonetization to the handling of the COVID-19 situation, Modi is an inescapable influence on both domestic and global issues, despite many other large initiatives under his term including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Make in India, and Digital India.
2. Amit Shah
So, on this list, the name Amit Shah spells out ‘strategy’ and ‘resolve’. Born on October 22, 1964 in Mumbai, Amit Shah is not only the right hand of Modi but a man for the strategy, his journey too started with the RSS, and he too moved through the BJP to a point where he became the man to thank for delivering Gujarat to the BJP and Modi. By 2014, he had become the President of the BJP, leading the party to many victories across India. As Union Home Minister, he led important policies like the abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Act.
3. Yogi Adityanath
Born Ajay Singh Bisht on June 5, 1972, in Uttarakhand, he is a monk-turned-politician whose term as Chief Minister is well-spoken about and well-praised in the country. You might not like the BJP party as a whole, but you’d agree that what Yogi Adityanath is doing in UP is something to appreciate. Uttar Pradesh used to be one of the crime hubs of the country, but since Yogi Adityanath has taken over, the scene is something else. But it is his very popularity that soars, especially in Uttar Pradesh, that makes him important for the national strategy of the BJP.
4. Rahul Gandhi
Imagine being born into one of the most famous political families in India, that is Rahul Gandhi for you, born on June 19, 1970. Since stepping into the political game back in 2004, this man has been a crucial cog in the wheel for the Indian National Congress party ever since. You might know him because of his recent Bharat Jodo Yatra, right? And for sure, that was something he got a lot of appreciation for. But still, there are many reasons why he stays in the talks, for both right and silly reasons.
5. Mamata Banerjee
You see, having started her career in the Indian National Congress, she went on to form the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and has been the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011. Of course, she has often been dubbed the “Bengal Tigress,” and that has made her popularity sour to another level in the country. Mamata has managed to bring a lot of political and economic reform in West Bengal and is a force in opposition to the BJP, pressing for a change both in her state and at the national level. But recently, she has been surrounded by criticism because of a lot of issues going on in the state of West Bengal.
6. Arvind Kejriwal
Guess who went from being a civil servant to a big political influencer? Yes, Arvind Kejriwal did. Starting his career as a social activist, he gained national prominence by taking the lead in the India Against Corruption movement. Free electricity and water schemes have not just won hearts in Delhi but set new benchmarks for urban governance across India. But recently, he was linked to the Delhi Liquor scam, not as a sitting CM, but as an AAP party leader. He’s out on bail now, but this whole incident has made him even more popular in India.
7. Nitish Kumar
Then there is Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, who first ventured into politics in the 1970s with the Janata Dal. No doubt, his career speaks of a story of dedication and change. He is often credited for the infrastructural, educational, and public health reforms in Bihar. He entered into major party alliances at different times, including the BJP and RJD.
8. Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi has always been a recognized face in Indian politics. She has been an active politician since 1998. Then, as the president of the Indian National Congress, she revitalized the party and led it eventually to come to power in a coalition government in 2004. Her strategic approach is reflected in some key policies, both in MNREGA and RTI, that have held her as a critical leader.
9. Naveen Patnaik
You see, Naveen Patnaik has been Chief Minister of Odisha since 2000, and he is one of the longest-serving chief ministers in the entire history of India. How’s that for a shocker? With five terms under his belt, Naveen Patnaik has ensured the Biju Janata Dal remains firmly ensconced in Odisha, with a large and dedicated following, due to his commitment to clean, technology-driven, socially aware governance. He has also been a leader in handling natural disasters such as cyclones throughout his reign in office. And in 2024 he is nowhere near slowing down. Patnaik is going for a sixth term, and strategically he runs from both Hinjili and Kantabanji to strengthen his political base.
10. Akhilesh Yadav
Akhilesh Yadav made an entry into the political scene when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kannauj in the year 2000. In 2012, he became, what was declared as, the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, taking charge at 38 years after a massive win with his party. Just to put things in perspective, his government had launched, at breakneck speed, a plethora of social welfare schemes such as the Kanya Vidya Dhan and the Samajwadi Pension Yojana, among others, with an eye toward a better life for all.
Conclusion
All in all, in the current political scene of the country, these are by far the most discussed as well as popular politicians in India. And because the 2024 elections are in progress, let’s see if the popularity of these politicians favors them or not.
