New Delhi:
Over 40 per cent urban Indian voters are undecided on the political party of their choice, a survey by Google India has revealed, months ahead of elections due by May. (
Google survey: urban Indian voters and the internet)
The survey also reveals that Narendra Modi has emerged as the politician most searched on the Internet in the past six months. (
Here are India's 10 most-searched politicians)
The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate is followed by Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and anti-corruption campaigner, Arvind Kejriwal, who debuts in the November Delhi assembly polls.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is the sixth most searched politician in India.
Mr Modi's BJP also tops the list of most searched political parties. The Congress, Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party and Shiv Sena are the others most searched. (
The 5 most-searched political parties)
Search volumes reveal that four of the top 10 politicians are from Congress, while two belong to the BJP.
The survey not only found 42% of the voters undecided, but revealed that most voters believe the local candidate is as important as the political party, in deciding who to vote for. Only 11 per cent said the Prime Ministerial candidate of a political party will play an important role in their voting decision.
Google India's survey, which studies the role of Internet in the upcoming polls, covers over 7,000 internet users in 108 constituencies; it represents 20% of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across India.
Urban India is asking for more information on the local candidate on the Net, revealed the survey, to help them decide. Half of the undecided voters feel information on Internet is not enough.
Internet presence, felt the respondents, shows politicians as progressive and transparent leaders.
Two-thirds of the registered voters don't share their political views online, a fallout of the recent crackdown on social media posts.