Modi praises Sonowal for performing his duty despite polls

New Delhi, May 22: Prime Minister rendra Modi on Sunday praised Assam BJP president Sarbanda Sonowal for discharging his ministerial duties despite being busy with Assam assembly elections.

Modi appreciated the sports minister for paying a surprise visit to tiol Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, where the athletes were preparing for the Rio Olympics. The games are due to take place in Brazil in August this year.

"In this regard I want to appreciate Sarbanda Sonowal. In the poll season, he went to NIS-Patiala for a surprise visit," the prime minister said in his 21st radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Sonowal was declared the chief ministerial candidate by the Bharatiya Jata Party (BJP) before the Assam assembly polls were held on April 4 and 11.

"There were polls; he was a CM candidate but Sarbanda Sonowal performed his duty as a sports minister. This is a big thing," said Modi.

"Everybody was surprised and noted how a union minister showed so much concern. It gave immense pleasure that he went to NIS-Patiala even before the election results were out without informing anybody," said Modi.