New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar could have purchased time from the Congress excessive command to resolve their variations, however one other clock appears to be posing a problem for the 2 occasion leaders.
They had been each noticed on a TV information channel carrying related watches. NDTV As they shook palms in a present of solidarity after a second breakfast assembly on Tuesday, it was recognized as a Santos de Cartier mannequin with an estimated worth of over Rs 43 million.
The “yellow gold” watch sparkled each time it caught the flash of media cameras, giving the opposition new ammunition to assault the ruling occasion.
The Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) on Thursday used the watch to focus on the state authorities.
“Siddaramaiah’s watches value billions of rupees and he additionally wears sneakers price a couple of lakh rupees. I knew earlier that he had eight such watches, however now he has between 18 and 19. You (Siddaramaiah) do not care what number of you’ve as it’s your personal cash, however the place did you declare it?” Chief of Opposition within the Legislative Council (LoP) Charavadi Narayanaswamy informed reporters.
Opposition events had additionally focused Mr. Shivakumar, who had claimed to have purchased a Cartier watch in Australia seven years in the past for about Rs 2.7 million. He even requested if the watch was “stolen”.
Shivakumar informed reporters on Wednesday that he had purchased the watch utilizing a bank card and declared it in his election affidavit.
The BJP took out the affidavit and confirmed that solely two watches had been talked about, a Rolex costing Rs 90 lakh and a Hublot price almost Rs 2.4 million, however didn’t point out the Cartier he was carrying on Tuesday.
Mr. Shivakumar denied the allegations.
“What do they (Bharatiya Janata Social gathering) learn about my affidavit? I do know that I’ve spent cash and bank cards. I’ve been clear. I’ve declared my Rolex and Cartier watches. There isn’t any must take heed to Narayanswamy,” he informed reporters.
Mr. Shivakumar then mocked the LoP’s assertion that the watch was “stolen” from Mr. Narayanaswamy’s home itself.
This isn’t the primary time that the 2 leaders have confronted a storm over their private belongings.
Shivakumar is extra outspoken about his wealth than Siddaramaiah. He usually says, “By nature I’m a farmer, by career I’m a businessman. By alternative I’m an educator, by ardour I’m a politician.”
In distinction, Siddaramaiah stored a comparatively low profile and infrequently missed a possibility to share the hardships he endured whereas rising up. However critics have usually questioned his credentials as a self-proclaimed socialist, citing his extravagance.
Additionally learn: Peace providing with naati rooster: Siddaramaiah, DKS break bread in solidarity
“Majwadi, not Samajwadi…”
Siddarmaiah is India’s third richest CM, in response to a report by the Affiliation for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Based on the August 2025 ADR report, he has declared belongings price Rs 51 billion, of which Rs 210 billion are declared as movable belongings and Rs 30 billion as immovable belongings.
Shivakumar is India’s second richest MLA with declared belongings of round Rs 1,413 crore.
Karnataka has the very best variety of billionaire MPs, with 31 MLAs declaring belongings of greater than Rs 100 crore. MLA’s complete belongings quantity to Rs 14,179 crore. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra occupy the subsequent two positions on the ADR listing.
Opposition events alleged that the Karnataka authorities was selling corruption and incomes billions in unspent cash.
“When allegations like Valmiki Growth Company rip-off, MUDA rip-off and 63 per cent fee got here to gentle, we requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to seem as a witness. No matter which state elections are held, Karnataka would be the ATM. Round Rs 300 crore was transferred for the Bihar elections,” Chief of Opposition within the Legislative Meeting R. Ashoka mentioned on Thursday.
Narayanaswamy known as Siddaramaiah ‘Majwadi’ somewhat than ‘Samajwadi’, implying that he was an individual who indulged in luxurious and was not a socialist.
In 2016, Siddaramaiah confronted an analogous controversy when he was cornered by the opposition over his Hublot watch.
The diamond-encrusted Hublot is estimated to value between Rs 5 million and Rs 60 million, and opposition events accused Siddaramaiah of “appearing like a spokesperson for the poor whereas indulging in a lavish life-style”.
Mr Siddaramaiah then claimed that the Hublot watch was a second-hand present from his pal Dr Girish Chandra Varma, a Dubai-based cardiac surgeon.
He mentioned the watch’s worth had been overestimated however that he had succumbed to stress and “donated” the watch to the nationwide treasury. He was additionally noticed carrying a Rado watch, which he mentioned was a present from his spouse Parvati.
Watches aren’t the one luxurious objects which have put Siddaramaiah in bother.
He beforehand drove round in a Toyota Land Cruiser, which he claimed was a present from his cupboard colleague KJ George. He then started his journey in a Mercedes GLS, which his workplace mentioned was loaned to him by one other cupboard colleague, Virati Suresh.
His predecessors aren’t any exception. In 2021, BS Yediyurappa purchased a Rs 120-crore Toyota Vellfire, whereas his predecessor HD Kumaraswamy is usually seen driving a black Vary Rover.
(Edited by Sague Kitty)
Additionally learn: A defiant CM, an unceremonious expulsion — the Siddaramaiah vs. DKS match is a well-recognized story in Karnataka politics.
