Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp, veiled attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a heated state Assembly session on Monday. The confrontation centered on the alleged illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup, sparking noisy protests and a war of words.
'Two Specimens' Remark Ignites Political Firestorm
Speaking in the winter session, Adityanath made a pointed remark without naming the opposition leaders explicitly. He stated, "There are two specimens in the country. One sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow." He further alleged that whenever a major discussion arises in the nation, these individuals "immediately flee the country," suggesting a similar pattern for Akhilesh Yadav with a potential trip to England.
The Chief Minister was responding to opposition questions on deaths linked to the syrup. He categorically denied any fatalities in Uttar Pradesh due to the substance. "No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup," Adityanath asserted, adding that the state government had won the related case in court and would pursue action under the stringent NDPS Act.
Enforcement Actions and Political Allegations
Providing an update on the crackdown, Yogi Adityanath revealed that the government had registered 79 cases, named 225 accused, and arrested 78 people. Raids were conducted on 134 firms. He warned that no accused would escape and hinted at potential bulldozer action when appropriate.
The UP CM directly linked the scandal to the previous Samajwadi Party regime, noting that the biggest wholesaler first apprehended by the STF was licensed in 2016. "I think if you delve deeper into this matter, you'll find that ultimately, some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved," he claimed.
SP's Furious Protest and Counter-Allegations
The remarks triggered an immediate and fierce reaction from Akhilesh Yadav and his party. Earlier in the day, SP legislators staged a sit-in protest near the main gate of Vidhan Bhavan, holding placards and demanding strict action against the syrup racket.
In a post on X, Akhilesh Yadav criticized the personal nature of the attack, urging constitutional figures to maintain decorum. He also turned the tables with a serious allegation, claiming the racket originated from the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency. "You can’t imagine that an illegal cough syrup business is operating from the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency… it’s worth thousands of crores. This is an international issue," he stated, calling for bulldozer action against all mafias.
The Samajwadi Party's media cell issued a strongly-worded statement, accusing the Chief Minister of running a "business of poisonous and intoxicating cough syrup" with the involvement of people from his own caste and close associates.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh police confirmed that a Special Investigation Team is probing the illegal network, including its financial transactions and cross-border links to Nepal and Bangladesh.
