Uttar Pradesh Assembly Winter Session: Opposition Protests Over Codeine Cough Syrup Scandal

The winter session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly has sparked significant protests from the Samajwadi Party, focusing on the alleged illegal trade of codeine cough syrup. Members of the SP gathered at the assembly, demanding action against those involved in the scandal and accusing the ruling BJP government of failing to address serious issues. With claims of widespread corruption and voter list manipulation, the opposition is determined to hold the government accountable. This session is shaping up to be a critical moment for political discourse in the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 22, 2025, 12:58 IST

Uttar Pradesh Assembly Winter Session Commences

The winter session of the Uttar Pradesh state legislature began on Friday and is scheduled to continue until December 24. On the second day of this session, members of the Samajwadi Party (SP) staged a protest at the main entrance of the assembly, raising concerns over the alleged illegal trade of codeine cough syrup and other issues, while chanting anti-government slogans.

Opposition's Demonstration

At 10 AM on Monday, opposition members from the SP arrived at the assembly with placards bearing anti-government messages and held a sit-in in front of the statue of Chaudhary Charan Singh. They demanded strict action against those involved in the alleged codeine cough syrup trade and accused the government of shielding certain individuals.

Accusations Against the Government

The SP members accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of violating the Constitution and reservation policies, suppressing women's rights, and eliminating job reservations for students and youth. The Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, stated to reporters that the protest was necessary because the government was not taking these issues seriously.

Call for Action on Codeine Scandal

He emphasized that the codeine issue is serious, involving a scam worth thousands of crores, and criticized the government for its lack of prompt action. Despite having ample resources, the government only began to act after the SP raised the issue, but their response was inadequate. Several SP members were seen with posters about the codeine cough syrup scandal on their backs.

Allegations of Voter List Manipulation

The SP members also accused the government and the Election Commission of removing names from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign. SP member Chandraprakash Lodhi told reporters that only voters' names were being cut, while the government was busy protecting its own people regarding the codeine issue, and they would not allow the assembly proceedings to continue in protest.

Mafia Involvement in Codeine Trade

SP member Ram Khiladi Yadav claimed that in Uttar Pradesh, the mafia has established 700 illegal companies to trade in codeine cough syrup, while the government remains powerless against them.