Baghel and Vijay Sharma debate PM Awas Yojana implementation in Chhattisgarh

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma faced off at the Raipur Press Club in an open debate over the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, converting a political challenge into an unusual public confrontation.

An Uncommon Political Format

The debate represented a rare instance of political one-upmanship in mainstream Indian politics, with the format more commonly associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University's presidential elections than with established political leaders. A packed hall of journalists and some spokespersons from both parties witnessed the exchange, which was initiated after Sharma, a senior BJP leader, challenged Baghel, a senior Congress leader, for a debate and the latter agreed to join.

The Central Dispute: Housing Targets and Achievements

The core of the debate centered on the action taken or lack thereof during their respective tenures, the Congress between 2018 and 2023 and the BJP from December 2023 till date, on the implementation of the central housing scheme for the poor. Sharma claimed that the BJP government had completed 11.51 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojana in two-and-a-half years and recently received approval for another 3.65 lakh.

The Deputy Chief Minister accused the previous Congress government of failing to utilise available opportunities, including a 7.81-lakh-house target in 2021-22. Baghel contested this and said around 11 lakh houses were built in Chhattisgarh under the scheme when the scheme was launched in 2015 until the end of his government's tenure in 2023.

Competing Claims and Clarifications

Baghel questioned the BJP's claim of approving 18 lakh houses and sought details of an additional 10 lakh announced by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Sharma clarified that the 18-lakh figure represented a construction commitment, not central sanctions. At one point, Baghel even said that if his government failed to get the houses constructed, the people had punished his party in the elections.

Familiar Charges in a Novel Setting

Despite the novelty of the setting and format, the charges and counter-charges were largely familiar, with both sides reiterating positions that had been heard before. The debate continued for well over an hour and often got heated. There have been multiple instances of leaders throwing an open debate challenge to opponents but here was one instance where date, time and venue was decided and both leaders walked the walk.

Aftermath and Reactions

The confrontation was followed by a clash between supporters of the two participants outside the main hall. Later, there was chest thumping on social media with social handles of both parties selectively using edited clips from the debate.

The debate ended inconclusively but veteran journalists in attendance at the press club said it was "historical" in the State due to its nature and profile of the participants. The exchange highlighted the continuing political contestation over welfare scheme implementation in Chhattisgarh, even as the format itself marked a departure from conventional political discourse in the state.

Source: The Hindu