Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a surprise for Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy when he uploaded his response to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli’s fitness challenge. Mr. Modi tagged Mr. Kumaraswamy along with table tennis champ Manika Batra and Indian Police Service officers, especially those above 40 years of age.
The Janata Dal (S) is in a coalition with the Congress in Karnataka, a partnership that has come in the way of the BJP forming a government in the state despite being the single largest party and nine seats short of a majority.
Mr. Kumaraswamy was quick to respond, making a political point. “Dear @narendramodi ji, I am honoured& thankU very much for d concern about my health. I believe physical fitness is imptnt for all&support d cause. Yoga-treadmill r part of my daily workout regime. Yet, I am more concerned about development fitness of my state&seek ur support for it,” tweeted Mr. Kumaraswamy.
Mr. Modi’s praise for his father and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda during the poll campaign had also led to much confusion over the post poll scenario, and, Janata Dal (S) leaders said, affected the party’s appeal among minorities, a key vote bank.