Karnataka Chief Minister now figures in a wristwatch controversy

Even before the air of suspicion over his involvement in the mining scandal could be cleared, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is now finding himself at the centre of a wristwatch controversy in the State.

The reported distribution of wristwatches bearing the Kumaraswamy’s image on the dial by the State-run Ambedkar Development Corporation kicked up a furore in the State Legislative Assembly, causing much embarrassment to the Government.

Vehement denials by Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister Balachandra Jharkiholi proved futile as Republic Party of India’s (RPI) legislator Rajendran, who had raised the issue, displayed a wristwatch with Kumaraswamy’s photograph on the dial, catching the attention of the House.

Sporting the wristwatch, which had a white coloured dial and leather strap, Rajendran accused the State Government of “surreptitiously” distributing the wristwatches to mark Kumaraswamy’s birthday. “The Ambedkar Development Corporation had distributed thousands of such wristwatches with a clear motive to influence the people in favour of the Kumaraswamy”, he alleged.

Rajendran sought to know how much money the Government had spent on the wristwatches and the list of beneficiaries. But, the Minister for Social Welfare Balchandra Jharkiholi denied the charges in a written reply.

Rajendran said the entire exercise appears to be murky affair, as the wristwatches did not bear the name of the manufacturer. JD (U) MLA Madhuswamy and independent MLA Vatal Nagaraj soon joined forces with Rajendran and sought an inquiry to find out who distributed the watches and the company that manufactured them.

When the Opposition Congress too pressed for an inquiry into the matter, members from the ruling coalition tried to shout them down, leading to pandemonium in the House with both sides trading charges against each other.

Kumaraswamy, however, was not present in the House when the issue was raised. But, Speaker Krishna instructed the Government to conduct a probe into the matter and find out who distributed the wristwatches and the number of beneficiaries.

The wristwatch controversy comes in the midst of the mining scandal and the Opposition Congress party’s demand for the Chief Minister’s resignation in the matter. Kumaraswamy has been accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 billion in the mining scandal.