Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Spark Controversy with ₹43 Lakh ‘Santos de Cartier’ Watches, BJP Criticizes

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have once again found themselves embroiled in controversy over their expensive wristwatches. Following a tussle over the Chief Minister post, the two leaders reportedly met for breakfast, during which both were seen wearing ‘Santos de Cartier’ watches valued at ₹43 lakh each. The opposition BJP has sharply criticized the move.

Targeting CM Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka BJP took to social media platform X, questioning the socialist image of the leader. The party posted, “Mr. Siddaramaiah, your definition of socialism seems very expensive. While the people of Karnataka struggle with drought and poor infrastructure, our ‘so-called socialist’ CM flaunts a Santos de Cartier watch.” The BJP also recalled a similar controversy from nearly six years ago, when Siddaramaiah was seen wearing a ₹70 lakh Hublot watch. They commented sarcastically, “Brands may change, but socialism remains costly.”

This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has been in the spotlight for luxury watches. In 2016, he was seen wearing a Hublot watch, which then JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy claimed was worth ₹70 lakh. At that time, the BJP demanded a probe and even raised the matter in the state assembly, contacting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for investigation. Siddaramaiah defended himself, saying the watch was a gift from a doctor friend working in the Middle East.

The latest episode has once again reignited debate over the lifestyle of Karnataka’s top leaders and their public image amid ongoing socio-economic challenges in the state.

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