Siddaramaiah dismisses BJP’s allegations on wristwatch

Dismissing BJP’s allegations that a “declared absconder” had given him an expensive wristwatch as one of the saffron party’s “hundred lies”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he had clarified that the Hublot watch had been gifted to him by an NRI friend.

The controversial wristwatch has already been handed over to Vidhana Soudha authorities for display among the gift items received by former Chief Ministers.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said his friend Dr. Girish Verma had submitted an affidavit to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) that he had presented the watch to him. “He has already provided the bills from the shop in Dubai, where the watch was bought. What more evidence is required?”, the Chief Minister said.

Referring to the BJP’s charge that it was given to him by an industrialist, who has been declared an absconder, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he did not know the person the BJP was referring to.

After the controversy erupted more than two years ago, Mr. Siddaramaiah had handed over the watch to the then Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa with a request to make it a State asset.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had reportedly sought to know the connection between the wristwatch and the United Arab Emirates company that had come forward to develop the famed tourist destination of Jog Falls in Shivamogga, Mr. Siddaramaiah urged the Prime Minister to explain the source of his expensive clothes he wore. “Where did it come from? Who gave it to you? Has income tax been paid?”, the Chief Minister sought to know.

Mr. Siddaramaiah came down on Mr. Modi for stooping low while addressing election rallies in the State. When his attention was drawn to Mr. Modi asking the Congress to learn patriotism from Mudhol hounds, Mr. Siddaramaiah said his “speech shows his culture”.

“Have you heard other Prime Ministers speak like that? Have Dr. Manmohan Singh, Rajiv Gandhi, or Indira Gandhi spoken like that?” he sought to know.

After the rallies of Mr. Modi and BJP’s president Amit Shah, the pro-Congress wave in Karnataka had become stronger. “It is crystal clear now that the Congress will win with a clear majority and form the next government and I will be the chief Minister,” Mr. Siddaramiah said.

Referring to the attacks on him by the BJP leaders, Mr. Siddaramaiah said they were “afraid” of him and hence making desperate efforts by telling the people lies.

He scoffed at former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa for fixing the date of swearing-in ceremony. “Only people, who will not come to power, will talk like that,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.