Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 4 – Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and MLC C.T. Ravi, on Saturday, launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that he alone is responsible for loans exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore and asking whether it is justified to refer to him as "Saalada (debtor) Ramayya".
Addressing the media as part of campaigning for the Bagalkot by-election, BJP leader Ravi said the total debt of Karnataka stands at Rs 8.32 lakh crore, of which more than Rs 5 lakh crore was incurred during Siddaramaiah's tenure as the Chief Minister.
He provided a year-wise breakdown, saying that borrowings were Rs 90,280 crore in 2023–24, Rs 1.07 lakh crore in 2024–25, Rs 1.16 lakh crore in 2025–26, and Rs 1.32 lakh crore in 2026–27.
He claimed that nearly 60 per cent of the total borrowing over the last eight years was during Siddaramaiah's tenure as the Chief Minister.
In contrast, BJP leader Ravi said that all previous Chief Ministers of Karnataka over the past 30 years -- including the late J.H. Patel, the late S.M. Krishna, the late Dharam Singh, H.D. Kumaraswamy, B.S. Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai -- together accounted for only 40 per cent of the state's debt.
"Now tell me, is it not right to call you 'Saalada (debtor) Ramayya'?" he asked.
BJP leader Ravi also alleged a Rs 6,000 crore excise scam involving State Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur and referred to other controversies such as the MUDA scam and drug-related issues, claiming that the state government has repeatedly been in the news for negative reasons.
He asked whether Karnataka ranking second in terms of farmer suicides was a matter of pride and raised concerns over suicides among government employees and honest officials.
Citing specific incidents, BJP leader Ravi said a waterman had allegedly died by suicide after leaving a note over unpaid salary, while a Sub-Inspector reportedly took his life due to frustration over a legislator's corruption.
He asked whether such developments could be considered positive.
He also pointed to reports of deaths of mothers and infants in Karnataka, and alleged lack of medicine supply in government hospitals.
BJP leader Ravi said the Congress-led state government has been making headlines either due to corruption or price rise.
Referring to an IPL-related Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration, the BJP leader alleged that a stampede during the event led to the death of 11 innocent people and held the state government responsible for the incident.
Throwing a challenge to the Chief Minister and his Ministers, BJP leader Ravi asked them to list their achievements.
He questioned what good work had been done for Bagalkot and remarked that even the foundation stone for a medical college in the district might not have been laid if the upcoming bypoll were not approaching.
He also recalled that a promise to establish a medical college in Bagalkot had been made during the 2014 general election.