Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday, alleging deep connections between the party and criminal elements involved in a major narcotics case. The accusations came just before the start of the state assembly's winter session.
Allegations of SP-Mafia Nexus in Drug Racket
Addressing the media in Lucknow, the Chief Minister stated that preliminary investigations into the codeine-based cough syrup racket have revealed links of some arrested accused to the Samajwadi Party. He asserted that it is widely known that almost every mafia operating in Uttar Pradesh has connections with the SP.
"The party is already known for its controversial functioning, and we will see its role in the cough syrup case exposed further as the investigation progresses," Adityanath said. He added that his government is fully prepared to respond to the Opposition on this matter both inside the legislative assembly and outside.
Ghalib's Couplet and Response to Akhilesh Yadav
Reacting to statements from SP president Akhilesh Yadav and referring to photographs that allegedly link Yadav with mafia figures, the CM invoked a couplet by the famous poet Ghalib. While noting that final conclusions must await the investigation's completion, he suggested the verse summed up the situation: "Umar bhar Ghalib, yehi bhool karta raha / Dhool chehre pe thi, aur aaina saaf karta raha." This translates to the poet making the repeated mistake of cleaning the mirror while the dust was on his own face.
Details of the Codeine Investigation and Assembly Agenda
Explaining the case, the Chief Minister said complaints were received about the misuse of codeine-based cough syrup as a narcotic substance. Following this, the Uttar Pradesh government initiated a probe. The operation is being carried out jointly by the Uttar Pradesh Police, the Special Task Force (STF), and the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
"The joint operation has so far exposed large-scale illegal trafficking and resulted in extensive arrests," Adityanath stated. A state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising officers from the UP Police and FSDA, is now monitoring the case. He promised a thorough investigation into all critical aspects, including the financial trail of the illegal trafficking.
Shifting focus to the upcoming assembly proceedings, the CM highlighted that the winter session, scheduled from December 19 to 24, will feature a detailed discussion on India's national song, Vande Mataram, to mark its 150th anniversary. Legislators will pay homage to its writer, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
He noted that the discussion holds special significance as Uttar Pradesh's foundation day coincides with the date Vande Mataram was recognized under the Constitution. The session will also address supplementary demands from various departments and development-related legislative work.
The Chief Minister revealed that the session's duration was decided considering that many lawmakers are engaged in the ongoing special revision of electoral rolls, allowing them to return to that work afterward. During an all-party meeting on Thursday, the government conveyed its readiness to discuss all issues and requested positive contributions from all members in the debates.
