NB Explains | Why TN BJP chief Annamalai releases bill of limited edition Rafale watch? What is this political debate?
The issue of Annamalai wearing a limited edition Rafale watch was flagged by the DMK. During a press meet in Chennai in January,
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Putting a full stop to the political debate started by the DMK has erupted over the cost of the Bell & Ross special edition Rafale watch used by him, now Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai released a copy of a bill to prove that he indeed purchased the watch from a Coimbatore-based friend.
Annamalai showed the bill to reporters and said the Rafale watch was first bought by Cheralathan Ramakrishnan in Coimbatore at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakhs in March 2021. Annamalai claimed he later bought the watch from Cheralathan at a cost of Rs 3 lakh in May 2021.
Speaking at the event, Annamalai said he bought the special edition watch from a man named Cheralathan Ramakrishnan. “Dassault Aviation makes Rafale watches in collaboration with Bell and Ross. Of the 500 total watches produced, only two were sold in India. One was sold in Mumbai – a senior executive at an MNC owns it. I know because we tracked who else wears this watch in India due to the controversies. I bought this watch on 27th May 2021. In March 2021, the original owner of this watch was Cheralathan Ramakrishnan, the bill is under his name. I contacted him once I got to know that the watch was available. With cooperation from Zimson, Cheralathan Ramakrishnan agreed to sell me the watch as it is not available anywhere else,” he added.
It should be noted that Annamalai revealed the bill at an event organised by the state BJP to release the ‘DMK Files’, in which he has included assets and businesses owned by many DMK leaders.
What was the Debate?
The issue of Annamalai wearing a limited edition Rafale watch was flagged by the DMK. During a press meet in Chennai in January,
On 17 December, DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji who, target Annamalai for wearing a limited edition Rafale watch made by Paris-headquartered watchmaker Bell & Ross to celebrate the fighter aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation.
“Only 500 pieces of the Rafale watch were made for the French company, costing Rs 5 lakh. A man who claims to own only four goats is wearing this watch! Can he share the receipt of the watch he bought,” asked Balaji.
What is so special about the watch?
The watch that Annamalai seems to own is the French watchmaker Bell & Ross’s BR 03 Rafale and it was crafted in collaboration with Dassault Aviation, which also builds the Rafale fighter jets. It is a Limited Edition (BR0394RAFALECE) of 500 units self-winding automatic watch, features a 42mm black ceramic case surrounding a grey dial on a black rubber strap with a PVD coated stainless steel tang buckle. It was priced at 5,200 euros, which roughly translates to Rs 4.57 lakh as of today.
What was Oppositions Reaction ?
Meanwhile, the ruling party DMK took to Twitter to flag off "discrepancies" in the Rafale bill. DMK spokesperson R Rajiv Gandhi tweeted that there was a difference in serial numbers between the watch purchased by Cheralathan and later by Annamalai.
DMK claimed there was a mismatch in the model number of the Rafale watch as mentioned in the bill copy and purchase receipt produced by Annamalai.
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Bharati Web
Mes, Pune
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