The Kerala unit of the Congress landed in controversy on Friday after it posted a message on X comparing Bihar to bidis while criticising changes in GST rates on tobacco products.
The post read, “Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered a sin anymore,” and was shared along with a chart showing current and proposed GST rates.
The post triggered a political row, forcing the party to delete it and issue an apology. Later, Kerala Congress said its comment was aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “election gimmick” but had been “twisted.”
BJP leaders strongly criticised the remark, calling it an insult to Bihar and its people. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote, “Congress crosses the line again. After abusing PM Narendra Modi ji’s mother, now compares Bihar with Bidi! Does Tejashwi Yadav endorse this?” He added that the INDIA bloc’s “hatred for Bihar” was becoming clear.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also condemned the remark. “First, the insult to the revered mother of our honourable Prime Minister, and now the insult to the entire Bihar—this is the true character of the Congress,” he said.
The other Deputy CM, Vijay Kumar Sinha, said action should be taken against those responsible. “From Lord Buddha to Mahavira and Govind Singh Sahib, all have their background in Bihar. If anyone insults any province of the country, that person cannot be a son of Mother India,” he said.
BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal said, “The leaders of the Congress party are engaged in insulting Biharis and Bihar. Today, the people of Bihar are asking the Congress party whether they compare Biharis to Beedi. The people of Bihar cannot forgive this.”
BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan said the tweet showed the “crass and regressive mindset” of the Congress. “The Congress may have deleted their tweet hurriedly but their contempt for Bihar cannot be erased,” he wrote.
BJP MP Giriraj Singh also joined the criticism, calling the Congress “malicious” towards Bihar.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while announcing new GST rates, took a swipe at the Congress, asking if it wanted a 5% tax on tobacco and gutkha. She said the new rates, including a special 40% slab for luxury items and tobacco products, would take effect from September 22.
