Yogi Adityanath Rejects SP's Demand for the UP Assembly to Discuss the Codeine Cough Syrup Scandal

Aa heated UP Assembly session, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accuses SP of giving licenses in 2016, highlights the ongoing investigation with 78 arrests, and refuses the Samajwadi Party's demand for discussion on the illegal codeine cough syrup trade. With allegations of BJP ties to the scam, the opposition withdraws.

Yogi Adityanath speaks in the Assembly on Monday. PTI

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly rejected the Samajwadi Party's (SP) demand to hold a special discussion about the expanding illegal trade in codeine-based cough syrups during a contentious winter session in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The meeting, which began on Monday to approve a supplemental budget of almost ₹24,000 crore, swiftly devolved into a political battlefield as opposition members said that the government was ignoring a dangerous drug trafficking scheme that was reportedly flooding the market.

Adityanath, who is known for his straightforward approach, didn't hold back. He gave the House the assurance that an extensive inquiry is already underway, with law enforcement agencies stepping up their efforts. "We've got 78 accused behind bars so far," he said, rejecting reports that these syrups have killed people in Uttar Pradesh. "That's just not true—no such deaths have been reported here," he continued, stressing that the investigation is revealing aspects of the operation without requiring a separate discussion. In an attempt to turn the tables on the opposition, the CM pointed the finger back at the SP, reminding everyone that in 2016, their government granted licenses to suppliers and makers of these items containing codeine. Adityanath said, "We're ready to destroy illegal operations—literally—and take legal action against everyone involved," referring to the demolition drives against criminal properties that are a hallmark of his administration. When the hammers came down, he even warned the SP not to complain.

The SP would not have it. The charge was led by Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, who claimed that a close-knit network of BJP politicians, drug inspectors, suppliers, and merchants is making millions by passing off drugs as common cough medicines. Pandey later told reporters, "This government gave complete freedom to the drug mafia because they're connected to the party," characterizing the arrests as only a "eyewash." SP members stormed the Well of the House, chanting slogans and waving pictures allegedly showing Shubham Jaiswal, the suspected drug dealer, mixing with Deputy president Minister Brajesh Pathak and even SP president Akhilesh Yadav. They were frustrated by what they considered to be silence. (Note: It was not possible to independently verify the validity of these photographs.) The group staged a dharna outside the venue for more than an hour as the protest turned into a full walkout.

However, the drama didn't end there. Adityanath called the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, whom he affectionately called "Babua," "do namoone" (two specimens) who cause trouble but leave abroad when things get serious. "They want discussions in Delhi and Lucknow, then disappear to other countries. The chief minister joked, "Babua's probably packing for London already," asserting that Yadav has connections in the UK. On social media, Akhilesh reacted by misrepresenting the "two specimens" comment to imply internal BJP strife. He posted, "Self-admission of the Delhi-Lucknow tussle," pleading with those in authority to maintain politeness and avoid from bringing internal conflicts into the public eye.

Further investigation by police sources shows that this isn't simply a local scam. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act regulates the illegal codeine trade, which extends well beyond the boundaries of Uttar Pradesh. Reports from the Food Safety and Drug Administration, the Special Task Force, and a special investigation team have connected the racket to smuggling activities into Bangladesh, hawala networks, and even possible funding for terrorism. According to reports, Shubham Jaiswal, the suspected mastermind who escaped to Dubai, and his father Bhola, who was arrested at the airport in Kolkata last month, transferred more than 2.24 crore bottles through a Ranchi-based company, making ₹500 crore. Over a period of eight years, earnings exceeded ₹2,000 crore, some of which may have been used for anti-national operations through linkages in western Uttar Pradesh and the Gulf and Islamic groups in Bangladesh. The center turns out to be Varanasi, and a reward of ₹50,000 is offered for information on Shubham's location.

While the government maintains that production takes place elsewhere, like as Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, with UP mostly serving as a distribution center, the Enforcement Directorate's involvement suggests money laundering possibilities. The opposition, meanwhile, continues to smell blood and accuses the BJP of protecting insiders. The crackdown is intensifying with 79 cases filed, 225 suspects named, and raids on 134 businesses, but the political impact is just getting worse.

Questions arise as UP struggles with this shadow economy: Is this a real cleanup or just election-related theater? For updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Real Breaking News.