Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a swipe at opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, though in a concealed manner. In a session of the state assembly, the UP CM remarked "desh ke andar do namune hain" (There are two specimens in the country).
What did Yogi Adityanath say?
Yogi Adityanath made the comment during a debate in the Assembly over the alleged illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrup. This prompted strong protests from the Samajwadi Party, which led to hullabaloo and demonstrations. "...'Desh ke andar do namune hain'. One sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow. When there is any discussion in the country, they immediately flee the country, and I think the same thing is happening with your 'Babua'. He will also leave the country again for a trip to England, and you people will keep shouting here," Yogi Adityanath said in the assembly, ANI reported.
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Refuting the allegations raised in the assembly, he added, "No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. Secondly, action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court. Thirdly, in Uttar Pradesh, the biggest wholesaler, who was first apprehended by the STF, was issued a license by the Samajwadi Party in 2016."
CM Adityanath gave an update on the enforcement. He said, "The government has registered 79 cases, named 225 accused and arrested 78 people. Raids have been conducted on 134 firms. No accused in this case will escape, and preparations will also be made for bulldozer action when the time comes."
Suggesting links between the illegal trade of cough syrups and the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister said, "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. The High Court has ruled that this entire case should be prosecuted under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has fought this battle and won," The Times of India reported.
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Akhilesh gives rebuttal
Reacting to the UP CM's comments, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X, "Self-acceptance! No one expected the Delhi-Lucknow battle to reach this point. People holding constitutional offices should at least maintain some sense of public decorum and not cross the limits of propriety. Those in the BJP should not bring their party’s internal infighting out into the open at crossroads. If someone takes offence, they may be forced to step back."
