Bengaluru: As expected, the diamond studded Hublot of CM Siddaramaiah gobbled the Joint Session on Tuesday, which was the second day of the session.
Right at the beginning of the proceedings, the opposition leader urged Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to allow discussion over the luxury watch issue as it was connected to the state and the government.
Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar said that the CM had violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act to which the BJP members joined voice.
All attempts by the CM to retaliate, with adequate support from G Parameshwar, R V Deshpande and K J George in this regard failed as the opposition members overpowered him.
With arguments and counter arguments led the BJP members entered the well of the House in protest, leading to adjournment for lunch.
Defending himself, Siddaramaiah alleged that the Opposition was indulging in “character assassination”. “I have already stated in public that I got the watch as gift in July from a Dubai-based NRI friend, by March I will declare about it in my IT returns. To Lokayukta I have to declare in June, I will be doing it. I have also said that I will deposit the watch to the state government. The FCRA is not applicable to this case as the person who gifted it is not a foreign national, but an NRI,” he added.
As Speaker’s attempts to conduct the proceedings failed, he adjourned the House till tomorrow.
It may be recalled that JD(S) Leader H D Devegowda has first spoken about CM’s luxury watch and questioned how the CM can claim to be a socialist if he is wearing a Rs 70 lakh watch on his wrist.
