Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wears a watch of Rs 70 Lakhs, he was seen with that Rs 70 Lakhs watch at the time of public meets of election.
Siddaramaiah timepiece become the hot topic to talk in the town as JDs state president H D Kumaraswamy taunt him that Siddaramaiha is a luxury CM, he cannot be a socialist CM because his timepiece the wrist watch costs Rs 70 Lakh.
In reply Siddaramaiah said that, “I did not bought the watch, I got it as a gift”. In early 1980s, a Rolex owned by Chand Mahal Ibrahim, deputy chairman of the state planning board, converted in an issue on the floor of the House. As a minister R Gundu Rao cabinet, was gifted a Rolex by a UAE minister, other former chief ministers BS Yeddyurappa and S M Krishna are also fond of expensive watches and frequently sport them in public.
The wrist watch value exceeded the price limit, permitted under the FCRA, prompting former MLC AK Subbaiah to elevate the issue. While Kumaraswamy has turned down Siddaramaiah’s offer to buy his watch in 5 lakh saying “he is not a scrap dealer”, the costly wristwatch topic continues to generate a debate as many other big politician found the issue hot and as an opportunity to shine their political objective and career.