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Watch was a gift from friend, says CM Siddaramaiah

The issue turns into caste colour with AICC Secretary wondering why backward class leader (Siddaramaiah) shouldn't wear expensive items.

Bengaluru: For the first time after the controversy over his expensive wristwatch and sunglasses broke out, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday admitted that the watch was a 'gift' from one of his friends. He also offered to sell both the costly items for a price of Rs 5 lakh.

Speaking to reporters after garlanding the portrait of former chief minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah at Vidhana Soudha, the CM took a swipe at state JD(S) president, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy saying he did not have any job other than raise such issues.

“I too can reveal many things about Mr Kumaraswamy but I will not do it. Those sitting in glass houses should not throw stones at others.”

Mr Siddaramaiah sought to know how Nikhil Gowda, son of Mr Kumaraswamy had bought an expensive car at a cost of Rs 5 crore when he was not earning anything. Mr Kumaraswamy should explain how he got the crores to spend on a movie starring Nikhil Gowda, he said.

Meanwhile, the issue has gained a caste colour with AICC Secretary B.K. Hariprasad wondering why a backward class leader (Mr Siddaramaiah) should not wear such expensive items.

State BJP spokesperson, Mr S. Suresh Kumar wanted to know how the CM could wear an expensive watch and sunglasses, while facing hundreds of poor people at the Janata Darshan, who come seeking help from the government.

If a person can gift such a costly watch, imagine the kind of favour he may have received from the government, he added.

HDK poser: What did you gift in return?

Refusing to let the controversy pertaining to Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah's exotic watch die down, former Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy was at his speculative best on Wednesday, wondering what ‘gift’ the CM had given to the person who presented him such an expensive watch.

Speaking to reporters at Harohalli on Wednesday, Mr Kumaraswamy said the CM claims to be a socialist and quotes the doyen of the socialist movement, Ram Manohar Lohia, at liberty but leads a luxurious life.

“It’s time he clarified if he had abandoned ‘Samajawada’ (socialism) and embraced ‘Majawada’ (luxury), when he joined the Congress,” the JD(S) leader quipped. Mr Siddaramaiah should know that any gift costing over Rs 20,000 should be declared to the Income Tax department as an asset.

Nowhere has the CM mentioned about such an expensive watch. “Mr Siddaramaiah said someone gifted him the watch. Why would anyone gift the CM such a watch without reason? Siddaramaiah should clarify what favour he did in return,”' Mr Kumaraswamy demanded.

When his attention was drawn towards Mr Siddaramaiah's statement that he was ready to give the watch to Mr Kumaraswamy for Rs 5 lakh, the JD(S) leader shot back that he was not a scrap dealer to purchase it.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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