With 41.7mn followers, PM Modi completes 3 years on Facebook

On 26th May 2014 Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India, and he has already completed three years on Facebook.

Being among the few politicians in India who recognise the potential of social media, Modi has been using the platform to boost his initiatives effectively. From Global diplomacy to economic issues like explaining digital transactions to the masses the Prime Minister has used these platforms as integral tools for direct dialogue with millions of citizens of our country.

His use of digital tools has been central to his success both as a politician and India’s global advocate-in-chief.

Marking the third anniversary with Facebook, the social media giant has shared a report showing that the Modi is the most followed leader in the world. With an online following of 41.7 million followers on Facebook, Modi outdid US President Donald Trump's personal and official account. Modi's official Facebook account PMO India ranks third after Donald Trump's account as the most followed leader on the social-networking platform.

Among the various initiatives Digital India and Make in India were the most engaged campaigns on the social media platform.

"This is the new form of public governance. He is reinforcing the importance of internet platforms as an input factor, tool for productivity, higher output creating brand recognition, and accessing global markets," said Ankhi Das, public policy director, Facebook India, South and Central Asia, the Economic Times report mentioned.

From the day of the election result, when Modi had 14 million followers, the number has increased by nearly twice in his three years of governance. The number now stands at 41.9 million. Notably, four million followers were added after he announced demonetisation on 8 November 2016.

After Modi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, General VK Singh, Piyush Goyal and Arun Jaitley are most followed by the Modi government.