“Siddaramaiah has every right to wear the wristwatch he likes,” Shivakumar hit back at the BJP after the Opposition party sought to stoke an issue.
The CM had landed in a controversy involving a Hublot watch nine years ago. The only difference is while it was union minister HD Kumaraswamy who made explosive allegations back then, it is the BJP now. Kumaraswamy had created quite a furore, demanding the purchase invoice of the Hublot watch the CM wore back then, and sought to know who gave it to him, if it was a gift.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were seen wearing similar Cartier watches, and the BJP poked fun at it calling it an extravagant socialism.
Shivakumar, who is also the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), defended himself saying he bought his watch seven years ago in Australia by paying Rs 24 lakh and one could see this on his credit card statement. He has already declared the luxury watch in his election affidavit also, the Dy CM said.
“Both Siddaramaiah and I have every right to wear the watch we like. The CM would have bought it himself or his son (Yathindra Siddaramaiah) may have gifted it,” Shivakumar said, adding that he inherited his taste for watches from his father, who was a big fan of watches and had seven watches.
The BJP’s posts on X triggered a discussion on social media. “Back then ₹70 lakh, today ₹43 lakh! The watch on the wrist has changed, but the extravagant mindset hasn’t. Siddaramaiah, you who wear the mask of socialism while leading an extravagant life, is this your social justice?”
The Opposition party, in another post said, “Mr. Siddaramaiah, your definition of Socialism seems to come with a very high price tag. While the people of Karnataka struggle with drought and crumbling infrastructure, our “Simple Socialist” CM flaunts a Santos de Cartier.”