In a rare debate, Baghel and Vijay Sharma clashed over Chief Minister Awas Yojana in Chhattisgarh

In a rare political one-off, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and incumbent Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Sharma held an open debate at the Raipur Press Club on the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the state.

A format more often associated with presidential elections at Jawaharlal Nehru University than with mainstream politics, the debate attracted a packed hall of journalists and several speakers from both sides. Yet, for all the novelty of the setting and format, the accusations and counter-accusations were largely familiar, with both sides reiterating positions they had taken before.

At the heart of the debate was the action taken, or lack thereof, in their respective tenures – the Congress between 2018 and 2023 and the BJP from December 2023 till date – to implement a central housing scheme for the poor.

The Deputy CM claimed that the BJP government had completed 11.51 million houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojana in two-and-a-half years and had recently received approval for another 3.65 million. He blamed the previous Congress government for not utilizing the opportunities available, including the target of 7.81 lakh in 2021-22.

Mr. Baghel disputed this and said that around 11 lakh houses were built in Chhattisgarh under the scheme when the scheme was launched in 2015 till the end of his government’s tenure in 2023. While he also disputed the BJP’s claim of sanctioning 18 lakh houses and sought details of another 10 lakh announced by Union Minister Chou1han8, Mr. this figure represented a construction commitment, not a central sanction.

At one point, Mr. Baghel even said that if his government failed to build houses, the people would punish his party in the elections.

Earlier, the face-off was started after Mr. Sharma invited Mr. Baghel for a discussion and he agreed to join.

The debate lasted more than an hour, often became heated, and was followed by a clash of supporters of both participants outside the main hall. Later, there was chest-beating on social media with both parties’ social media outlets selectively using edited clips from the debate.

There have been several instances where leaders have thrown open debate challenges to opponents, but here was one instance where the date, time and venue were decided and both leaders walked away.

The debate ended in a tie, but veteran journalists present at the press club said it was “historic” in the state due to its nature and the profile of the participants.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 06:24 IST