Social media alone cannot help win elections, says Shashi Tharoor

At a time when major political parties are vying for a space in social media, Union minister Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said the platform alone cannot help win elections but gives new options of reaching out to public.

Speaking at the launch of a social networking website in Delhi, Tharoor said, "One cannot win elections by using only the social media, but it certainly is an asset as it gives new options of reaching to the public. We cannot escape from it."

He added that only 10-12 per cent of people have Internet access in India and 70 per cent of the people have mobile access. Social media will play an active role once there is a convergence of mobile and Internet, Tharoor said.