LUCKNOW, Dec. 23 -- Targeting the top leadership of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday referred to them as 'specimens' ('desh ke andar do namoone hain') while replying to the Opposition on the codeine-based cough syrup issue during the winter session of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly. In response, Akhilesh Yadav attacked the chief minister in a post on X.

In the House, the chief minister showed photographs of the key accused with the top leadership of the Samajwadi Party and said, "There are two specimens in the country. One sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow. When there is any discussion in the country, they flee the country. The same is happening with your 'Babua'. You will keep c...