RAIPUR: The political landscape of Chhattisgarh has been jolted by a sharp and escalating war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress, centered squarely on the implementation of the flagship Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma launched a scathing and multi-pronged attack on former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday, accusing him of deliberately spreading misinformation to create confusion among the state’s rural poor and to destabilize the public’s trust in the current administration. This inflammatory exchange comes directly in the wake of a formal letter dispatched by Baghel to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, wherein he allegedly misrepresented the housing statistics and attempted to distort the factual record, making the unsubstantiated claim that only 10.6 lakh houses had been completed in the state over the past five years. Addressing the media at his official residence in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Sharma firmly and unequivocally refuted these claims, asserting that the Central government had once again unequivocally confirmed in Parliament the exact figures presented by the current state government, thereby validating their execution records and repudiating Baghel’s assertions. The Deputy CM emphasized that Baghel’s narrative is born either out of sheer political ignorance or, more dangerously, a calculated attempt to undermine the massive developmental strides taken under the current leadership which has prioritized the housing needs of the underprivileged above all else. Sharma went a step further, directly challenging the former Chief Minister to a public debate regarding the execution, monitoring, and financial disbursement of the rural housing scheme, stating categorically that the BJP government was fully prepared to present the concrete facts, data, and site-level ground truth to any independent forum. He stressed that the people of Chhattisgarh are fully aware of the truth on the ground, and such baseless allegations will only tarnish the reputation of those who make them, rather than erase the visible progress being made across the state’s villages, where newly constructed homes now stand as testaments to the current government’s work ethic. The atmosphere at the press conference was charged with conviction and urgency, as Sharma systematically dismantled Baghel’s assertions point by point, reasserting the incumbent government’s unwavering commitment to serving the poorest of the poor without regard for political affiliation.
Delving deeply into the statistical discrepancy that has triggered this political firestorm, Sharma provided a meticulous and detailed clarification regarding the completion figures that form the crux of the dispute. He stated emphatically that more than 11 lakh houses have been successfully completed since the BJP government assumed office in the state, a number that easily surpasses the figures quoted by his political rival. Crucially, he clarified that this impressive and verifiable figure is not merely reflective of new sanctions granted in the past year but includes a substantial number of houses that were sanctioned in previous financial years under the erstwhile Congress regime but were tragically left incomplete for a variety of reasons, predominantly due to a severe lack of financial allocation, administrative negligence, and a systemic failure to release essential funds to beneficiaries. In a pointed indictment of the previous administration, the Deputy Chief Minister took the opportunity to remind Baghel of his tenure’s staggering shortcomings, pointing out that had the former Chief Minister focused on actual execution and public welfare rather than indulging in political theatrics and spreading misinformation, thousands of destitute families would not have been deprived of their rightful permanent housing for such extended periods. Sharma highlighted the proactive, solution-oriented approach of the current dispensation, which immediately took decisive steps to identify all pending houses and provide the necessary financial resources required to complete them without further delay. The government has meticulously prioritized long-delayed housing projects during its budget planning, ensuring that no beneficiary is left behind, irrespective of whether the initial sanction was done under the previous administration or the current one. He reiterated that the state government is working in perfect alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary goal of providing a permanent, safe, secure, and dignified house to every poor family in the nation by 2024 and beyond, treating this as a mission rather than a mere departmental target. By citing the Union government’s confirmation in Parliament, Sharma sought to establish a clear and authoritative distinction between the empty chattering of the opposition and the evidence-based, data-driven governance being practiced diligently by the current state administration, challenging anyone to audit the records. He taunted Baghel for his creative accounting of numbers and selective memory, suggesting that the former Chief Minister’s arithmetic is fundamentally flawed by design, crafted solely to mask his own party’s failure to deliver on the promise of housing when they held the mandate.
Beyond the immediate numbers, the political rhetoric has unveiled a stark and instructive difference in governance philosophies between the two major parties in the state. The BJP, under the dual leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy CM Sharma, is championing a development-led, pro-poor model that directly aligns with the central government’s welfare schemes, ensuring seamless synergy between the Union and State governments. Sharma took a moment to underscore that the Congress party, particularly under Baghel’s leadership, historically neglected the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, often creating administrative bottlenecks and turning a blind eye to the grievances of the marginalized sections of society. The current government’s achievement of surpassing the 11-lakh mark in house completions is a testament to its efficient administrative machinery, digital monitoring systems, and unwavering dedication to transparency. Sharma explained that the determination to complete these houses stems from a genuine, heartfelt concern for rural families who continue to live in makeshift kutcha structures, tin sheds, or unsafe mud houses that expose them to the vagaries of nature and health risks. He pointed out that the scheme isn’t just about bricks, cement, and mortar; it is fundamentally about uplifting the living standards of the rural poor, ensuring they have a permanent space that is secure, clean, and conducive to a healthier, more productive life for their children and future generations. The Deputy CM’s assertion that Baghel had “failed” the poor is a powerful and resonant political sentiment that deeply connects with the rural electorate, who have witnessed the dramatic difference in governance first-hand since the change of regime. The contrast being drawn between the Congress’s alleged laissez-faire approach, riddled with reports of corruption and delays, and the BJP’s hands-on, target-oriented execution is a deliberate and effective strategy designed to consolidate the support of the vast rural population ahead of future electoral contests. Sharma concluded this segment by reassuring the public that the approval and completion process has been made fully transparent and accessible, with regular video conferencing with district collectors and block officials to monitor progress in real-time, ensuring strict accountability at every level of the bureaucratic machinery, a practice that was sorely lacking in the previous dispensation.
The press conference, however, took a significant and dramatic turn when journalists shifted focus to the high-profile money laundering, illegal mining, and extortion case involving absconding businessman Saurabh Chandrakar, whose alleged criminal empire operated with alleged impunity during the previous regime. Replying to a pointed question regarding the current security situation and the possible return of Chandrakar to Chhattisgarh to face legal proceedings, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma, who also holds the crucial Home portfolio, provided a firm, resolute, and unambiguous response that left no room for ambiguity. He stated that central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation, are conducting a thorough, rigorous, and multi-dimensional investigation into the case, and there is an active, coordinated, and inter-state effort currently underway to secure his arrest abroad and bring him back to the state to face justice. “Saurabh Chandrakar will be brought to Chhattisgarh, and those found guilty will be sent to jail,” Sharma declared, setting a resolute and uncompromising tone that signals the government’s refusal to tolerate big-ticket criminals. He dismissed any speculation about a lack of action or political interference, asserting emphatically that the law is taking its own course and that no individual is above the constitution. However, the Deputy CM utilized this opportunity to level a serious political counter-attack against Bhupesh Baghel, turning the tables on his accuser. Sharma noted that Baghel had recently made provocative and suspicious remarks suggesting that the ongoing investigation into Chandrakar might expose several of his (Baghel’s) own associates who were part of the political ecosystem at the time. Reacting sharply, Sharma turned the tables on the former Chief Minister, asking a piercing, rhetorical question that hung in the air: “Does Bhupesh Baghel not want his associates to be exposed? Or is he simply afraid that the truth will ultimately come out and implicate those close to him?” Sharma emphasized that the investigation would continue with unwavering vigour irrespective of who is involved, and the law will take equal, stringent action against anyone found guilty, regardless of their political stature, money, or proximity to power in the past or present, thereby issuing a strict warning to the opposition.
Delving deeper into the profound implications of Baghel’s alleged anxiety over the investigation, Sharma accused the former Chief Minister of attempting to create a dense smokescreen to deflect attention from his own administration’s alleged complicity, willful negligence, or tacit encouragement of such illicit activities during his tenure. He pointed out that Baghel’s own statement betrays a deep sense of unease and foreknowledge, subtly hinting that he has prior knowledge of unspecified associates who were entangled with Chandrakar’s operations. By asking whether the former CM doesn’t want those individuals exposed, Sharma cleverly insinuated that Baghel might have been a protector, mentor, or facilitator of such dubious dealings during his time in power, allowing illegal activities to flourish under his watch without proper departmental inspections. The Deputy Chief Minister maintained that the state government is not interfering with the central probe but is fully cooperating and extending all necessary resources to ensure that the truth prevails and all mafia networks are dismantled. He reiterated that the law is equal for all, and the process of justice will remain impartial, transparent, and thoroughly exhaustive, guaranteeing that no stone is left unturned. Sharma warned that any attempt to distort the facts, threaten witnesses, or otherwise compromise the integrity of the investigation would be met with the full force of the law, and he specifically called out the Congress party for its historical tendency to harbor criminals and patronize smugglers and sand mafia operators, which he claimed ultimately harmed the state’s economy, ecology, and the faith of the common man in the rule of law. He asserted that the present government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, has adopted a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, organized crime, and illegal mining, actively working to dismantle the networks that were allegedly built during the previous regime. The rigorous nature of the ongoing investigation, coupled with the state government’s proactive and cooperative stance, clearly indicates that the Chandrakar case will not be allowed to die a quiet death via legal loopholes or political pressure, ensuring that the public’s anger over the illicit amassing of wealth is adequately addressed and punished through swift legal recourse and judicial process.
In his concluding remarks, Vijay Sharma summarized the overarching themes of the day’s confrontation: the absolutely uncompromising pursuit of development and justice in equal measure. He reiterated that the BJP government’s primary focus remains the welfare of the last person in the queue, completely fulfilling the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh in the party’s election manifesto and the Prime Minister’s vision for a developed India. The ongoing debate over the PMAY-G scheme is more than just a statistical argument over housing numbers; it is a clear, unmistakable indication of the BJP’s commitment to delivering tangible, on-ground results that improve the quality of life for millions, while simultaneously highlighting the hollowness of the Congress’s claims. Sharma took a final jibe at Baghel, stating that misinformation, false allegations, and hollow accusations are the only weapons left in the arsenal of a leader who has lost the people’s mandate and the moral authority to speak on public welfare, while the current government’s arsenal is filled with completed houses, improved infrastructure, transparent governance, and a visible reduction in crime. He called upon the opposition to join hands with the ruling party in the state’s development journey rather than trying to pull it down with baseless politics, emphasizing that the people are watching who is genuinely working for their benefit. On the sensitive issue of the Chandrakar case, he reiterated the state’s firm stance that no stone will be left unturned to bring the fugitive to justice, and no politically connected individual, no matter how powerful, will be spared from the long arm of the law. As the press conference concluded, Sharma’s emphatic, confident, and combative demeanor signaled a government that is prepared to face criticism with facts, rebut allegations with conviction, and pursue criminals with unwavering commitment. The political temperature in Raipur is undoubtedly rising to a fever pitch, but for the ruling BJP dispensation, the path forward is clear and singular: deliver development, enforce the law ruthlessly, and expose the untruths spread by the opposition at every available opportunity. This dual-pronged strategy of showcasing good governance while aggressively pursuing criminal investigations is likely to define the political narrative in Chhattisgarh in the coming months, further consolidating the BJP’s ground-level support while keeping the Congress party perpetually on the defensive, reacting to the government’s proactive agenda rather than setting it.
