Surveys reveal Rahul, Priyanka are welcome in politics

According to a survey by English weekly Outlook, a 'sizeable majority' is favourably inclined towards Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra joining active politics.

In the Outlook-Market and Development Research Associate (MDRA) poll, 69% felt the entry of the Gandhi siblings would improve the chances of the Congress in the polls, a release by the magazine said.

A high percentage felt their entry into politics would enthuse young voters while 53% were of the view that they must not just campaign but also contest elections.

The Outlook-MDRA poll was conducted the survey in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune and the rural areas adjoining each of these cities. In all, it involved 800 respondents.

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Meanwhile, an NDTV opinion poll of more than 400 Lok Sabha members revealed that a majority felt the Gandhi siblings would make 'some difference' but less than one in every four MPs felt they could make a major difference to the outcome of the Lok Sabha election.

Almost every MP polled disagreed with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan that they were ineligible to contest for prime ministership, an NDTV release said.

Most of the MPs believe that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership and the National Democratic Alliance government's track record would be the main issue in the coming elections.