LUCKNOW, Dec. 19 -- Allegations flew thick and fast as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers had a face-off on the issue of quality of education in the state, in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council on the first day of the winter session on Friday.

While the SP alleged that the quality of education had deteriorated over the last few years under the BJP regime, the government dismissed the charge, leading to a walkout by the SP MLCs.

Responding to an adjournment notice, basic education minister Sandeep Singh dismissed the allegations, after which the SP members walked out of the House.

Leader of the opposition in the legislative council Lal Bihari Yadav, along with SP members Rajendra Chaudhary, Man Singh ...