New Delhi: Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi has become the most followed Indian politician on Twitter. He overtook Congress leader Shashi Tharoor who was leading the Twitter war with 18,21,776 followers.

Narendra Modi's Twitter account has garnered over 18,26,055 followers so far, making him the most followed Indian politician on micro-blogging website.

India has vast population of young people who use internet and that number is steadily increasing. India has over 140 million internet users and constitutes fastest growing internet traffic in the world.

Platforms like Twitter and Facebook gives politician an effective platform to air their opinions and opposition. Social media could prove an effective tool in mobilising support for the upcoming elections due to be held in 2014. Modi will have a clear advantage when he stands to challenge the 10-year-long rule of UPA government in 2014.

Internet is not very popular among Indian politicians. Baring few, Omar Abdullah, Sushma Swaraj and Arvind Kejriwal, not many politicians are known for using internet to communicate with the general public. Among the others Sushma Swaraj has 5,23,336 followers, while Arvind Kejriwal is being followed by 4,21,289 'Aam Aadmis'.

Keeping in mind the importance of internet, Modi has specially roped in pioneer names in Indian dotcom industry to help in social media campaign in run-up to the next year's general elections.

Rajesh Jain and BG Mahesh have been asked to put up a 100-member content and technology team in Bangalore to drive Modi's internet campaign.

Even Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has realized the importance of internet. Social media occupies an important position in Party’s 2014 campaign strategy. It has approved the use of IT professional to drive its social media campaign.