New Delhi, July 9 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday hit out at Union Minister and former CM HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of indulging in "empty talk" while failing to secure central funds for state infrastructure projects, particularly the proposed tunnel corridor in Bengaluru.

Speaking at a press conference at Karnataka Bhawan in New Delhi, Shivakumar responded sharply to a question on a perceived rivalry with Kumaraswamy over credit for the tunnel project.

"Kumaraswamy has been doing a lot of empty talk. Let him get funds first," he said, in a clear swipe following Kumaraswamy's recent meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the same project.

Shivakumar clarified that the Congress-led state government...