Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 4 (NationPress) Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and MLC C.T. Ravi vehemently criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, claiming that he is solely accountable for the state's debt, which surpasses Rs 5 lakh crore. Ravi provocatively questioned if it is appropriate to label him as "Saalada (debtor) Ramayya".

While campaigning for the Bagalkot bypoll, BJP leader Ravi stated that Karnataka's total debt currently amounts to Rs 8.32 lakh crore, with more than Rs 5 lakh crore accumulated during Siddaramaiah's previous term as Chief Minister.

He provided a breakdown of borrowings by year: Rs 90,280 crore for 2023–24, Rs 1.07 lakh crore for 2024–25, Rs 1.16 lakh crore for 2025–26, and Rs 1.32 lakh crore for 2026–27.

Ravi asserted that nearly 60 percent of the total borrowing over the last eight years occurred during Siddaramaiah's leadership.

In contrast, he noted that all previous Chief Ministers of Karnataka over the last three decades—including late J.H. Patel, late S.M. Krishna, late Dharam Singh, H.D. Kumaraswamy, B.S. Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Bommai—accounted for merely 40 percent of the state's total debt.

"Isn't it fitting to call you 'Saalada (debtor) Ramayya'?" he challenged.

Additionally, Ravi alleged a Rs 6,000 crore excise scam linked to State Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur and referenced other scandals such as the MUDA scam and issues related to drugs, stating that the state government has consistently made headlines for negative reasons.

He questioned whether Karnataka's second-place ranking in farmer suicides was an achievement and highlighted concerns regarding suicides among government employees and honest officials.

Specifically, he mentioned that a waterman reportedly took his life after leaving a note about unpaid wages, while a Sub-Inspector allegedly committed suicide out of frustration over a legislator's corruption.

He further pointed out reports of fatalities among mothers and infants in Karnataka, coupled with claims of inadequate medicine supplies in government hospitals.

BJP leader Ravi accused the Congress-led state government of attracting attention primarily for corruption and price hikes.

Referring to a tragic incident during an IPL celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he alleged that a stampede at the event resulted in the deaths of 11 innocent individuals, holding the state government accountable.

Ravi challenged the Chief Minister and his ministers to enumerate their accomplishments, questioning what positive developments have been made for Bagalkot and suggesting that even the foundation for a medical college in the district may not have been laid if not for the approaching bypoll.

He also recalled that a commitment to establish a medical college in Bagalkot was made during the general elections in 2014.