Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav trade barbs on social media
22 Dec 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "do namoone" (two specimens) remark in the state assembly, which was widely shared on social media, has drawn a sharp response from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

The comment, which was widely interpreted as a jibe at opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, has been seized upon by the latter to highlight an alleged power struggle within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Adityanath's assembly remarks spark controversy
Assembly session

Speaking in the state assembly, Adityanath said that no child had died in the state due to the Codeine cough syrup and took a dig at opposition leaders without naming them.

He said, "There are two namoones (specimens), one is in Delhi, and the other in Lucknow."

Earlier, Adityanath had also mocked Gandhi and Yadav, along with Tejashwi Prasad Yadav from Rashtriya Janata Dal, as "three monkeys" in the context of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Yadav responds to Adityanath's remark, calls it a 'confession'
Response

In response to Adityanath's "do namoone" comment, Yadav called it a "confession" of sorts.

He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "No one thought that the Delhi-Lucknow clash would reach this point."

Yadav also advised those in constitutional positions to maintain decorum and not let internal party disputes spill into public view.

His response came shortly after Adityanath shared a video of his assembly remarks on X.

Allegations of power struggle within BJP
Power tussle

The Samajwadi Party has often alleged a power struggle between Adityanath's government and the central BJP leadership.

Those alleging this rift point to appointments of Deputy Chief Ministers and certain bureaucrats as efforts to curtail the Chief Minister's authority.

However, Adityanath has dismissed such claims, asserting that he occupies his position due to party support.