My Hublot for state: CM Siddaramaiah to end row?

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was in a lot of trouble over his expensive wristwatch, is learnt to have decided to declare the watch, which according to the Opposition is worth Rs 70 lakh, as a 'state asset'.

If he does so, Mr Siddaramaiah will be joining a list of his predecessors who have handed over the expensive gifts received during their tenure, as 'state assets' and which are now displayed in the Cabinet Hall.

Sources close to the Chief Minister told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Siddaramaiah has already made up his mind to declare the diamond studded Hublot wrist watch that was gifted to him as a state asset.

He is expected to make a formal announcement to this effect shortly.
After that, the watch will be displayed inside the Cabinet Hall.

If sources are to be believed, the Chief Minister did not know the cost of the wristwatch at the time of receiving it, and realised it was so costly only after former Chief Minister and State Janata Dal (Secular) President H.D. Kumaraswamy claimed that the watch worn by the CM was around Rs 70 lakh.

Sources claimed that former Chief Minister,  S. Nijalingappa too had received an expensive watch during his tenure but gave it to the state at the time of demitting office.

Similarly, Mr S.M. Krishna when he was Chief Minister, had received an item made of gold from his party leader, Mr Baburao Chinchansur, and declared it as state property, after completing his tenure.

‘Watchgate’ which broke out just a few days before the by-polls to three Assembly constituencies and the first phase of the ZP/TP polls on February 13, had left Congress leaders red faced. They were embarrassed because Mr Siddaramaiah is a socialist and a follower of Ram Manohar Lohia who advocated a Spartan lifestyle.

Former Union minister, Mr B Janardhan Poojary had suggested that the CM auction the watch and donate that money to families of the Siachen victims. Since then, Mr Siddaramaiah has reportedly stopped wearing the watch and sunglasses to avoid further controversies.

Sources claimed that during a Congress rally in Bagalkot recently, a close friend of Congress legislator, H.Y. Meti arrived to present a gold chain to Mr Siddaramaiah.

The CM not only rejected it but also put it around the neck of his fan with a warning not to present such costly gifts to him in future! The state BJP had written a letter to the Enforcement Directorate seeking a probe into the expensive gift presented to Mr Siddaramaiah.