Buddhadeb Bhattacharya ranks # 4
A survey by India Today-ORG-MARG

The bi-annual 'Mood of the Nation' poll conducted by India Today-ORG-MARG in January 2002, tracked the performance of Chief Ministers of 16 states by using a sample of 17,522 voters, representing a cross-section of all social age groups in urban and rural areas. The poll also gives us an insight into the popular perceptions of the people. The following are the results.

#4 - Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, West Bengal
While the middle classes were pleased with him for making government employees accountable, his stand against fundamentalist groups in the state made him even more popular. After being elected chief minister, Bhattacharya rolled out the idiom of 'perestroika' as he began attacking beneficiaries of the old order - government babus, uncaring doctors, callous schoolteachers.

Pluses: Has appealed to the common man by making the government accountable and taking steps to cut down on red tape. Has taken a stand against fundamentalism.

Minuses: A substantial section of the CPI(M) is suspicious of him. Could face a minority backlash in the panchayat polls.