Hubli: Former CM and Congress candidate for Hubballi-Dharwad Central, Jagadish Shettar, asked Union Minister Pralad Joshi whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will quit politics at the age of 73.

In response to Joshi's claim that Shettar betrayed the party after enjoying plum posts in the party and the government, Shettar pointed out that Modi has been the four-time Gujarat Chief Minister and is serving as the Prime Minister for his second term. Shettar also expressed his desire to continue in politics as long as he enjoys the people's support.

Shettar also asked Joshi, 'Will he retire from politics since he is also enjoying his fourth term as MP and is a Union minister?'

Shettar accused the BJP of electoral malpractices, alleging that they distributed money among voters in several parts of the constituency, offering Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per vote in several slums. Shettar, who is seeking re-election for the seventh time, stated that he did not indulge in such activities during his time in the BJP and used to win elections without resorting to such tactics.

He charged, "Why did the BJP leadership choose Hubballi-Dharwad Central for experimentation? Why not Kalghatgi, where Shivu Hiremath had toiled for the party? Instead of fielding Hiremath there, they issued a ticket to Nagaraj Chebbi two days after he hopped from another party."

Shettar also shared his confidence in winning the election, stating that exit poll surveys have predicted his victory and that the Congress would get a clear majority and form the government. He emphasized that the outcome of the 2023 polls would have a strong bearing on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and polls in other states.