{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Bhupesh Baghel and Vijay Sharma Face Off in Raipur Over Housing Scheme Debates",
  "summary": "Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma engaged in a heated debate at the Raipur Press Club over the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, presenting contrasting figures and arguments during a session lasting over an hour.",
  "content": "Chhattisgarh politics witnessed a rare and intense spectacle on Tuesday as former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confronted each other directly on the stage at the Raipur Press Club over the contentious issue of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Accepting a public challenge thrown by the Deputy Commissioner, Bhupesh Baghel arrived at the venue to participate in the face-off. Spanning roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes, the discussion turned into a fierce battle of statistics, counter-claims, and political accusations between the two prominent leaders.\n\nHigh Voltage Drama Outside the Press Club\nThe high-profile debate drew massive crowds and heavy security outside the Raipur Press Club from early morning, creating an atmosphere of intense political drama. Large groups of workers and leaders from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party assembled near the venue. Tensions flared when police administration blocked Congress workers from entering the premises, leading to sharp verbal spats between the two sides. Supporters from both parties indulged in slogans and shoving matches outside, forcing police personnel to work hard to bring the situation under control.\n\nDeputy Chief Minister Presents Government Statistics\nTaking the floor during the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma reeled off official figures to assert that Chhattisgarh has set a national record by constructing the highest number of PM housing units in the financial year 2025-26. Sharma claimed that a total of 17.75 लाख housing units have been completed in the state with central assistance. He stated that the current government has spent 16000 crore rupees within its two-and-a-half-year tenure. Levelling charges against the previous administration, he alleged that during five years of Congress rule, financial approval of only 3900 crore rupees was granted and merely 3 lakh houses were completed, claiming the prior administration avoided accepting housing targets and portals simply because the Prime Minister's name was attached.\n\nFormer Chief Minister Refutes Claims as Statistical Trickery\nCountering the government narrative, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel dismissed the figures as mere statistical jugglery. Baghel argued that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government withheld legitimate state funds and central portals remained shut. Despite these hurdles, he maintained that the Congress administration approved over 6 lakh houses and ensured the completion of lakhs of units during its term. He questioned the ruling party's claim of sanctioning over 46 लाख houses, pointing out that such a vast number of dwelling units do not even exist across Chhattisgarh.\n\nFunding Structure and Acceptance of Electoral Verdict\nElaborating on the financial mechanism, Baghel explained that while older schemes like Indira Awas were fully funded by the Centre, current programs like the PM housing initiative operate on a 60-40 funding split between the Centre and the state, placing a heavy fiscal burden on state budgets. In a candid moment during the exchange, Baghel acknowledged that they did not build the required PM houses, which is why the public punished them with defeat at the polls. While Vijay Sharma defended the debate as a healthy democratic tradition to clear the air before the public, Bhupesh Baghel reiterated that if there were any shortcomings on their part, the electorate delivered its verdict through the ballot box.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis high-profile political debate highlights administrative competition and accountability regarding public housing schemes in the state.\n\n• Across India: The friction over funding splits and targets between central and state contributions in housing schemes influences policy discussions nationwide.\n• In Chhattisgarh: Low-income families and beneficiaries of housing schemes in the state will see heightened political scrutiny over house allocation figures and delivery timelines.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis confrontation took place after the Deputy Chief Minister threw an open public challenge that was accepted by the former Chief Minister.\n\n• Public Challenge: The Deputy Chief Minister issued a public challenge for an open debate which the former Chief Minister readily accepted.\n• Statistical Disputed Claims: Sharp differences existed between the ruling party and the opposition regarding housing construction numbers, fund allocations, and past performance.\n• Electoral Fallout: Both sides hold contrasting political arguments regarding the reasons behind voter sentiment and the electoral outcome in previous assembly polls.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where did the debate between Bhupesh Baghel and Vijay Sharma take place?\nThe debate was held at the Raipur Press Club.\n\n2. How long did the discussion last?\nThe direct discussion lasted for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.\n\n3. What claim did Vijay Sharma make regarding the financial year 2025-26?\nVijay Sharma claimed that Chhattisgarh set a national record by constructing the highest number of PM houses during this period.\n\n4. What did Bhupesh Baghel clarify about the funding of housing schemes?\nHe explained that current housing schemes operate on a 60-40 funding split between the Centre and the state.\n\n5. What reason did the former Chief Minister give for losing the election?\nBhupesh Baghel acknowledged that they did not build the required PM houses, which led the public to punish them at the polls.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/bhupesha-baghela-aura-vijaya-sharma-ke-bicha-rayapura-men-ara-para-ki-bahasa-purva-mukhyamntri-ne-mani-chunava-harane-ki-vajaha-32512",
  "category": "Chhattisgarh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-15",
  "tags": [
    "Bhupesh Baghel",
    "Vijay Sharma",
    "Chhattisgarh Politics",
    "Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana",
    "Raipur Press Club",
    "BJP Congress Debate"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}