Political clash over thousands-Cr Codeine racket: Yogi vs Akhilesh in a poetic battle

Sanjay Saxena, Lucknow

The politics of Uttar Pradesh has once again entered a phase of sharp statements and mutual accusations. Just ahead of the assembly’s winter session, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav have come face-to-face over the illegal trafficking of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate. The issue has escalated beyond just the smuggling of narcotic drugs, as it now involves allegations of political protection, mafia networks, and an illegal business worth thousands of crores, turning it into a major political confrontation.

In a media interaction, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directly attacked the Samajwadi Party regarding the matter. He stated that most of the active mafia in the state had links to the SP in some form and that some of the accused caught in the codeine cough syrup racket were also connected to the Samajwadi Party. The Chief Minister clarified that the investigation is still ongoing and the final conclusions will emerge only after it is complete, but preliminary facts cannot be ignored. He remarked that when pictures of political leaders with the accused surface, it is natural for questions to arise.

In a poetic tone, Yogi Adityanath also mocked the SP leadership, saying that “the dust was on the face, and they kept cleaning the mirror,” which was interpreted as a direct jibe at Akhilesh Yadav. He emphasized that the investigation should proceed, and “the truth will come out clearly.” The government is in no mood to spare any guilty party, irrespective of their political affiliation or influence.

Shortly after the Chief Minister’s statement, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav responded on social media. Without naming the Chief Minister directly, he retaliated in poetic form, alleging that “when you are caught, you blame others.” This was seen as a measured reply to the government’s accusations. SP leaders claimed that the government is targeting the opposition to divert attention from its own failures and administrative shortcomings.

The case of codeine phosphate cough syrup is considered serious because it falls directly under the NDPS Act. Codeine is a controlled substance, meant for limited medical use only. The government stated that in recent years, it has been widely misused as a narcotic. According to investigative agencies, a structured network was active in districts like Varanasi, Jaunpur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, and Sonbhadra, using fake licenses, shell companies, and forged documents to illegally supply cough syrup.

Government data shows that over 3.7 million bottles have been sold illegally so far, with an estimated value of around ₹57 crore, while the entire syndicate’s turnover is estimated to be nearly ₹2,000 crore. The syrup was being transported from Uttar Pradesh to Bihar, West Bengal, and even across borders. Investigations also revealed that demand was higher in dry states, where it was being used as an alternative to alcohol.

The mastermind of this racket is said to be Shubham Jaiswal, who allegedly started as a small medical supplier in Varanasi but quickly established an inter-state and international network. Agencies say that during the COVID period, he expanded this illegal trade rapidly. Shubham is accused of sourcing cough syrup from Himachal Pradesh factories through fake firms and smuggling it into Uttar Pradesh via secret warehouses. He is currently absconding, believed to be hiding in Dubai.

To monitor the case, the government has formed a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior officers from the UP Police, STF, and Food & Drug Administration. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate has started probing the matter from a money laundering angle. So far, over 12 drug traders have been charged, and several raids have been conducted. Authorities have also initiated the process to identify and seize assets purchased from illegal earnings.

Amid this controversy, the winter session of the assembly is politically significant. The Chief Minister stated that the session will run from December 19 to 24, discussing issues related to public interest, development, and legislative matters. However, on the first day, proceedings were limited due to a condolence motion following a member’s sudden demise. Nevertheless, the codeine cough syrup racket is expected to dominate debate both inside and outside the House.

Political analysts believe this case could influence the politics of the 2027 assembly elections. While the Yogi government presents it as a crackdown on mafia and a step toward a drug-free state, the Samajwadi Party views it as political vendetta and an attempt to defame the opposition. Meanwhile, investigations by the agencies are ongoing, and the entire state is keenly watching the direction the findings will take.

(Writer is a senior journalist from Lucknow and can be reached at skslko28@gmail.com

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