Modi wishes JD(S) leader Deve Gowda

New Delhi, May 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up JD (S) leader H D Deve Gowda to wish him on his birthday.

While the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka, the JD (S) and Congress together have more MLAs"Spoke to our former Prime Minister Shri H.D. Deve Gowdaji and conveyed birthday wishes to him. I pray for his good health and long life," Modi said in a tweet.

Yeddyurappa is yet to prove a majority in the Karnataka Assembly, and the Congress and JD-S have alleged that the BJP is trying to poach their newly elected lawmakers, as it has fallen short of eight seats to the 112 halfway mark in the lower House.

Gowda, who served as prime minister from June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997, turned 85 today.