Prime Minister Tarique Rahman retains strong personal approval across Bangladesh, including among supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, but a new nationwide survey shows that confidence in his government and the country's direction remains significantly lower. The findings could draw attention in New Delhi as India-Bangladesh relations remain under close watch.

The Doppler Approval Rating Survey 2026 found that 66.3% of respondents approved of Rahman's performance, while 21.6% disapproved. Government approval stood at 54.5%, highlighting a clear gap between the Prime Minister's personal standing and public assessment of his administration.

Rahman Leads Approval Ratings

The survey, conducted from August 6 to 15, covered 3,443 respondents across 489 wards and villages in all 64 districts. Researchers weighted the findings using demographic and geographic factors from census data.

Rahman's approval remained above 62% across all eight divisions, according to the findings. His support also crossed political lines, suggesting that his personal appeal currently extends beyond the BNP's core support base.

The figures indicate that voters distinguish between their assessment of the Prime Minister and their judgement of the government's overall performance.

Jamaat Support Stands Out

One of the survey's most notable findings is the 65.5% approval for Tarique Rahman among Jamaat-e-Islami supporters.

The figure is close to the national approval rating and suggests that Rahman has significant acceptance among voters associated with a party that has an important place in Bangladesh's current political landscape. NCP supporters recorded 65.8% approval, while 52.5% of Awami League supporters also rated Rahman's performance positively.

The survey itself does not establish that Jamaat support has influenced government policy. However, the cross-party approval is likely to be watched closely in India as New Delhi assesses Bangladesh's evolving political and strategic environment.

Government Gets Lower Rating

While Rahman's personal approval reached 66.3%, only 54.5% rated the government's overall performance positively. Another 32.9% gave the government a poor rating.

The difference suggests that the government's popularity has not fully matched that of its Prime Minister.

Public dissatisfaction was particularly strong over everyday economic concerns. Electricity and fuel emerged as the biggest problems, cited by 59.5% of respondents, while 59.1% pointed to rising prices of essential commodities. Law and order and employment followed.

Country Direction Divides Voters

The survey also found a more cautious mood about Bangladesh's overall trajectory.

Only 48.6% said the country was moving in the right direction, while 35.6% believed it was heading the wrong way. The remaining respondents either had no opinion or declined to answer.

The findings show a contrast between confidence in Rahman personally and uncertainty about broader national conditions.

Household sentiment also remains mixed. Nearly half of respondents said their family's situation had worsened over the previous year, although a sizeable share expected conditions to improve during the next 12 months.

India Watches Political Shift

The survey arrives as India-Bangladesh relations remain sensitive following the political upheaval that brought Rahman's BNP-led government to power.

New Delhi is closely watching Dhaka's foreign-policy choices, particularly its relations with Pakistan and its approach towards India. Bangladesh's engagement with Pakistan has attracted attention in India because of the two countries' security interests in South Asia.

At the same time, India has continued diplomatic engagement with Rahman's government. The two sides have discussed a possible bilateral visit, although Dhaka has said that a more conducive environment is needed before Rahman travels to India.

India Visit Faces Hurdles

Rahman's proposed India visit has become an important test for bilateral ties.

Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir said the Prime Minister's first India visit should preferably be a bilateral trip rather than an appearance on the sidelines of a multilateral event such as BRICS.

The two countries also remain divided over the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India. Dhaka has pressed for her return, while India has said the request remains under legal review.

What The Survey Signals

For India, the survey offers an important snapshot rather than a definitive prediction of Bangladesh's foreign-policy direction.

Rahman's strong personal approval, including among Jamaat supporters, gives him political room to pursue his government's agenda. But the lower rating for the government and concerns over prices, electricity, fuel, law and order show that domestic performance could become the bigger test of his political standing.

The survey also suggests that Bangladesh Survey results should be read alongside developments in Dhaka's relations with India, Pakistan and other regional powers rather than as evidence of any single foreign-policy alignment.