Bagalkot, Feb 29 (DHNS): The row over his diamond-studded watch has returned to haunt Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The BJP on Sunday accused Siddaramaiah of invoking his caste to bail himself out of the controversy.

Speaking to reporters in Bagalkot, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said the chief minister has been claiming he belongs to the backward caste in order to save his skin in the watch row. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers H N Ananth Kumar said that Siddaramaiah, who claimed he was once a socialist, had now become a capitalist chief minister. The BJP leaders were in Bagalkot to take part in the wedding of the son of former legislator Veeranna Charanthimath.

Social Welfare minister H Anjaneya, who was also in the town to attend the marriage, described the row over the watch as “frivolous.” Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, BJP State president Pralhad Joshi said that the chief minister had been attempting to add a caste colour to the controversy.

“As per Section 3 of the Foreign Gift Prevention Act, 2010, the elected representatives are prohibited from accepting any gift worth more than Rs 25,000,” he said. He also sought that the citizenship of Dr Girishchandra Verma, who is said to have gifted the expensive watch to Siddaramaiah, should be revealed.