D K Shivakumar and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
Credit: PTI and DH Photos
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday hit back at Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy for claiming that the Deputy Chief Minister’s Santos De Cartier watch was unaccounted for.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Shivakumar shared a copy of his affidavit submitted to the Lokayukta that mentioned his watch. In that document, Shivakumar declared three watches: Rolex and two Cartier watches costing Rs 9 lakh, Rs 23.9 lakh and Rs 12.06 lakh, respectively.
As per the document, the Deputy Chief Minister’s latest assets were declared on October 28, 2025.
Slamming the LoP, he said: “Mr Narayanaswamy, here is my affidavit submitted to the Lokayukta. A person in a responsible position like you must not talk just for the sake of it. It won’t bring honour to you. I am a transparent person and am telling the truth as I don’t want to hide anything.”
Shivakumar reiterated that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had the “right” to wear the watches of their liking.
The BJP has been attacking the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for wearing "expensive" watches of the same company. The controversy started when the Opposition claimed that the top two executives met for breakfast at Shivakumar’s residence, where both sported the said watches.
Earlier on Thursday, Narayanaswamy had challenged the Deputy Chief Minister, claiming that the Cartier watch he wore was not mentioned in his election affidavit, contrary to Shivakumar's claims.
Speaking to reporters, Narayanaswamy said: "Wearing watches is fine and wearing watches of the same company is also fine. But why do you (Shivakumar) lie??? He claimed to have submitted it in his affidavit. I checked his affidavit submitted to the election commission. Page no 38 mentions a Rolex watch (Rs 9 lakh) and Hublot watch (Rs 23.9 lakh). But what Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are wearing are Cartier watches. Where have you declared it?? Is this a stolen or bought asset??"
Earlier, Siddaramaiah was embroiled in a controversy over a Hublot watch during his first term as the Chief Minister. He had handed over the watch to the Assembly secretariat, declaring it as state property.