The Kerala unit of the Congress has announced the restructuring of its social media team after a controversial post on its official X handle triggered backlash. The now-deleted post, which stated “Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered a sin anymore,” was accompanied by a graphic highlighting revised GST rates—reducing tax on bidis from 28% to 18% while raising it on cigarettes from 28% to 40%.
Although the intent was to criticize the Centre’s GST policy on tobacco products, the wording—equating Bihar with bidis—was widely condemned as offensive. Leaders from across party lines, including the Congress’s own ally RJD, objected to the remarks. RJD leader and Bihar Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded an apology, stressing that such a statement was unacceptable.
Kerala Congress president Sunny Joseph described the post as a lapse and confirmed that corrective action was underway. He clarified that V.T. Balram, the current digital media head, had not approved the message but has offered to resign. Joseph added that those directly handling the account would be held accountable.
The controversy has escalated into a political issue, particularly with Bihar heading to Assembly elections later this year, amplifying the impact of the misstep.
