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The Kerala Congress triggered a major political row over a social media post on GST rates that likened Bihar to bidis, with the BJP accusing the party of defaming the state.
Kerala Congress leader VT Balram, who was the head of the party’s social media wing in Kerala. (VT Balram/X)
Congress leader VT Balram stepped down as the head of the party’s social media wing in Kerala, after the party received severe backlash for allegedly insulting Bihar in a post about reduced GST rates for bidis (thin cigarettes or mini-cigars filled with tobacco flake).
In a now-deleted post on X, Kerala Congress criticised the proposed GST rate changes on bidis, saying, “Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered a sin anymore.” The post triggered a massive political storm, prompting an apology from the party.
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BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked if Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav endorses the comparison of bidis with the state of Bihar. Poonawalla also alleged that the INDIA bloc’s “hatred for Bihar” was evident.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, also called the Kerala Congress’s post an insult to the state of Bihar. “First, the insult to the revered mother of our honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, and now the insult to the entire Bihar—this is the true character of the Congress, which is repeatedly being exposed before the country,” the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister wrote on X.
Kerala Congress Admits ‘Mistake’
Meanwhile, Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph admitted that there was a “mistake” and “lack of caution” while posting the “bidis and Bihar” jibe, adding that an apology was tendered by the social media team as directed by the state leadership.
Meanwhile, the Congress came under scathing criticism by Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday, who accused them of “defaming” the people of Bihar by comparing them to bidis.
“This is not just the thinking of Kerala Congress, it is the thinking of the Congress party. They have never left any stone unturned in defaming Biharis,” Paswan told news agency ANI. “Congress needs to answer how low they will stoop in terms of language for political gains.”
Meanwhile, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar accused the BJP of distorting facts. “Bidis are called sin goods as smoking these has an adverse impact on health. But the GST rate rationalisation, in which both Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Samrat Choudhary, who holds the portfolio in the state, would promote smoking,” he said.
(with inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Thiruvananthapuram, India, India
September 06, 2025, 16:08 IST
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