It's Maun ki Baat over Adani, China issues: Congress, ahead of 100th episode of Mann ki Baat

The Congress on Tuesday (April 25) claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public relation machinery was “working overtime” for the 100th episode of his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, while accusing him of being silent on crucial issues such as Adani and China.

The Mann Ki Baat programme is set to complete its 100th edition next Sunday (April 30), with the prime minister saying it was public support that led to the success of his monthly radio address.

Survey by IIM-Rohtak

According to a survey by the Indian Institute of Management-Rohtak, nearly 23 crore people tune in to the Mann ki Baat programme on the last Sunday of every month with 65 per cent of listeners preferring to hear the talk in Hindi.

Also read: Mann Ki Baat episode 99: Around Navratri, Modi praises women warriors

It also found that the programme was heard more on television channels followed by mobile phones, with radio listeners accounting for 17.6 per cent of the total listenership.

‘Maun ki Baat’: Jairam Ramesh

In a tweet, Congress General Secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said, “The PM’s mighty PR machine is working overtime to herald the 100th Mann ki Baat on April 30th. Meanwhile, it is Maun ki Baat as far as Adani, China, Satyapal Malik revelations, MSME destruction, and other crucial issues are concerned.”

The PM's mighty PR machine is working overtime to herald the 100th ‘Mann ki Baat’ on April 30th. Meanwhile, it is ‘Maun ki Baat’ as far as Adani, China, Satyapal Malik revelations, MSME destruction and other crucial issues are concerned.

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 25, 2023

The survey by IIM-Rohtak students found that 73 per cent of respondents felt optimistic about the government’s working and the country’s progress, while 58 per cent said their living conditions had improved. As many as 59 per cent have reported increased trust in the government.

Also read: PM Modi addresses first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2023

The general sentiment towards the government can be gauged from the fact that 63 per cent of respondents said their approach to the government had become positive and 60 per cent had shown interest in working for nation-building, it found.

(With inputs from agencies)