Kumaraswamy rejects Modi's challenge, says "more concerned about Karnataka's fitness"

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his fitness video on Twitter and nominated H.D. Kumaraswamy for the fitness challenge, the Karnataka chief minister responded saying he was more concerned about the “development fitness” of his state.

“I believe physical fitness is important for all and support the cause. Yoga and treadmill are part of my daily workout regime,” Kumaraswamy wrote on Twitter.

“Yet, I am more concerned about development fitness of my state and seek your support for it,” he further said.

On Wednesday morning, Modi, after posting his fitness video on Twitter, had extended the challenge to Kumaraswamy, 2018 CWG medal winner Manika Batra and the "entire fraternity of brave IPS officers, especially those above 40".

Modi shared the video nearly three weeks after he accepted Indian skipper Virat Kohli's fitness challenge.

The #FitnessChallenge, part of 'Hum Fit Toh India Fit' campaign, was started by Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on May 22, when he posted a video of him doing push-ups. In the same video, he threw challenge at Kohli, actor Hrithik Roshan, and badminton champ Saina Nehwal.

Kohli had accepted the challenge of Rathore and posted a video of him doing Butt Plank on Twitter. The cricketer then extended the challenge to the prime minister.

The Fit India movement was initiated by Modi in March, which has been gaining momentum since then.

"I appeal to every Indian to devote some part of the day towards fitness. Practice any set of exercises you are comfortable with and you will see the positive difference it will make in your life!," Modi said on Wednesday in another tweet.