New Delhi: Several leaders including PM Narendra Modi and Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa have congratulated former PM and Janata Dal (S) Chief HD Deve Gowda on his 88th birthday.

PM Modi called Deve Gowda this morning to wish him on his birthday. Deve Gowda tweeted, “I thank honorable PM Narendra Modi for calling me this morning and wishing him a happy birthday”.

Deve Gowda wrote, “I pray to God to give him the strength to deal with this crisis in our country due to global epidemic”. On the other hand, Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa wrote in his tweet, “Happy birthday to Kadawar politician and former PM HD Deve Gowda. May God protect you”. Congress leader in the state Siddaramaiah tweeted, “Happy birthday to former PM and senior JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda. God give you good health and longevity.”.Several Union and State Ministers, leaders of several political parties wished Gowda a happy birthday.

Deve Gowda urged his fans not to celebrate his birthday and said it was not the right time to gather. He also appealed to him to help the corona affected people in the state. Born on May 18, 1933 in Hardanhalli, a remote village in Hassan district, Gowda served as the country’s PM for 10 months between June 1996 and April 1997.