‘Simple Socialist CM’: BJP slams Siddaramaiah for flaunting Rs 43-lakh luxury watch

CM Siddaramaiah

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of flaunting a luxury watch reportedly worth Rs 43 lakh during a breakfast meeting with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The BJP said the CM’s choice of a Santos de Cartier watch showed an “extravagant mindset” and undermined his image as a socialist leader.

“Mr Siddaramaiah, your definition of Socialism seems to come with a very high price tag,” the party’s Karnataka unit posted on X.

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.#CongressFailsKarnatakapic.twitter.com/Qog1jt1WSz

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) December 2, 2025

“While the people of Karnataka struggle with drought and crumbling infrastructure, our ‘Simple Socialist’ CM flaunts a Santos de Cartier,” the post added.

The row erupted at a time when Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been holding a string of high-profile breakfast meetings, widely seen as an attempt to send out a message of unity amid an ongoing power tussle in the ruling Congress.

On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s Sadashivanagar home for another meeting. Shivakumar’s brother and former MP DK Suresh, and Kunigal MLA HD Ranganath were also present.

According to PTI, the spread included idli and *nati koli saaru* (country chicken curry). Siddaramaiah, a vegetarian, attended the meal but did not partake in the non-vegetarian dishes.

These meetings follow the Congress government completing half its term on November 20 — a milestone that triggered speculation about a possible rotation of the chief ministership.

Siddaramaiah, however, has insisted that all is well between him and Shivakumar, saying they are running the government “like brothers”. He added that both leaders would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command takes on the leadership question.

Shivakumar echoed this line, saying, “They will have to call us,” referring to any discussion with the party leadership.

Tuesday’s breakfast meeting came after a similar gathering at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, arranged by the Congress top brass to ease tensions between the two factions.

Both men have publicly maintained that “there won’t be any confusion” and that they will follow the high command’s direction as the Belagavi legislature session approaches on December 8.