Rajdeep Sardesai Analyzes Mood Of The Nation 2026: India Bloc Leads In Key Poll-Bound States

On this Special Report, consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyzes the 'Mood of the Nation' January 2026 projections for upcoming assembly polls. The data suggests a significant lead for the India bloc and regional parties in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, while the NDA maintains a comfortable lead in Assam. Sardesai observes, 'The big message is that the regional forces are holding their ground, which makes it very difficult for the BJP to penetrate these states.' The discussion highlights the divergence between national narratives and state-level factors, noting that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ratings remain high, voters distinguish between central and regional leadership. The panel, including Maria Shakeel and Sanju Verma, debates the BJP's 'course correction' in Uttar Pradesh following the 2024 Lok Sabha results and the opposition's ability to capitalize on regional strengths. The programme explores whether the India alliance can maintain its momentum as a diverse democratic force against the BJP's electoral machinery.