Bengaluru: As May 19 (by-polls in Chincholi and Kundagol, Karnataka) and May 23 (result of Lok Sabha election) draw closer, political parties continue to bicker. In the latest, Shobha Karandlaje, the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP has taken a jibe at former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Alleging that he keeps on criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leader said, “Why does Siddaramaiah keep talking about Modi? Why can’t he talk about developments? If he is so weak, let him wear bangles.”

Shobha further targeted Siddaramaiah for his loyalists advocating that he return as the chief minister of the state.

“Siddaramaiah has a lot of desire to become the chief minister. He himself is directing his cronies to vociferously and publicly talk about him becoming the CM,” she said.

Elsewhere, her party colleague, Honnali MLA MP Renukacharya took on two prominent Congressmen, Karnataka home minister MB Patil and water resources minister DK Shivakumar.

Alleging that the two are playing a prominent role in Chincholi and Kundagol, he said, “Both DK Shivakumar and MB Patil have a lot of stake in the by-poll. They are spending Rs 50 crore in both the constituencies. Yesterday alone (May 15) they have spent Rs 5 crore. They are spending money like water.”

The leader also spelt out the modus operandi.

“They are using police vehicles to transport money. Officials are also helpless as they are forced to do such things. They are like dolls. As many as 500 people have been asked to come to Chincholi and Kundagol to help them out,” he added.

Later, he also took a dig at Shivakumar and Patil for their contradictory behaviour.

“MB Patil tried to split Hinduism. But on the other hand, Shivakumar sought an apology for it. The two leaders have no strategy. It is only money power that is at play,” he said.