Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 5: A controversial social media post by the Kerala unit of Congress on the Centre’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms has snowballed into a political row, drawing sharp reactions from Bihar leaders.
In the now-deleted post on X, Congress remarked that “Bidis and Bihar start with B” and “cannot be considered a sin anymore,” alluding to the GST rate cut on bidis.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary termed it an “insult to the entire Bihar.” “First, they insulted the revered mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and now the entire state of Bihar. This is the true character of Congress, repeatedly being exposed before the nation,” he said.
JDU leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha lashed out at Congress, calling the comment “extremely shameful.” He added, “B does not only mean bidi, it also means buddhi (intellect), which you lack. B also stands for budget, which makes you jealous when Bihar gets special assistance.”
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress of having an “anti-Bihar mentality.” In a video statement, he said, “If B is for Bihar and bidi, then C is for Congress and corruption.”
There was no immediate response from Congress leaders on the backlash.
GST council decision
The GST Council on Wednesday slashed the tax rate on bidis from 28% to 18%, while the levy on tendu (bidi wrapper leaves) was cut from 18% to 5%.