Matching gold Cartier watches on Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar's wrists raise eyebrows

Karnataka opposition party BJP raised eyebrows after they noticed CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar meeting for breakfast, wearing matching expensive Cartier watches.

Shivakumar had invited the CM to his house for a meal when they were captured by the media wearing the luxury brand on their wrists. The watches were identical.

The party criticised both the leaders and their watches in a post on X saying, “Mr @siddaramaiah, your definition of Socialism seems to come with a very high price tag. While the people of Karnataka struggle with drought and crumbling infrastructure, our "Simple Socialist" CM flaunts a Santos de Cartier."

They alleged that the price of the Cartier watches was Rs 43 lakh.

Questions were raised about the incident. Many speculated that the leaders were sending a message through the meetup and shiny watches.

The party also posted an image of the CM wearing a Hublot watch in 2016, which was the subject of a widespread controversy. Siddaramaiah had to return the watch after the outrage.

Janata Dal Secular also joined in to criticise the CM. In a post on X, they said, “@siddaramaiah claims that I am a socialist. In reality, a big capitalist. Back then, the capitalist who wore a diamond-studded "Hublo watch" worth more than 70 lakhs and became a target of criticism, even today, has a luxurious watch from the Cartier brand made of gold on his wrist, worth 43 lakhs rupees. Mr Siddaramaiah, what morality do you have to give verbose speeches about socialism?"

Sources in the CMO and DCMO maintained that the matching same design and brand watches, worn by the two leaders, was a mere coincidence, the Indian Express reported.

The source said that both leaders have a watch collection and that the CM was wearing a Cartier for a month.