Congress' "B for Bidi" remark on GST cut triggers backlash; BJP & JDU irked

The Congress party's Kerala unit ignited a significant political controversy on Friday after it published a controversial tweet that appeared to mock the state of Bihar. The post, which has since been deleted, drew a parallel between Bihar and 'bidis,' an attempt to criticize the recent GST reforms implemented by the central government. The highly contentious message, which many viewed as an insult, immediately sparked sharp reactions from the BJP and its ally, the JD(U).

In the now-deleted tweet, the Congress unit wrote, "Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered a sin anymore." This was shared alongside a chart detailing recent changes in GST rates. The chart showed an increase in the tax on cigars and cigarettes from 28% to 40% and on tobacco from 28% to 40%, while the levy on bidis was notably reduced from 28% to 18%. The Congress’s jibe was clearly aimed at the BJP, suggesting a favorable tax treatment for bidis.

The post, however, was not received well by the ruling alliance in Bihar. The state's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhari, was among the first to react, calling the comment a direct "insult to the entire state." He connected the tweet to a previous incident, stating that this behavior was a reflection of the "true character of the Congress, which is repeatedly being exposed before the country."

The BJP’s national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, also weighed in on the matter, accusing the Congress of crossing a line. He specifically questioned whether the Congress's ally in the state, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, would endorse such "anti-Bihar" remarks. Poonawalla went further to allege that a broader "hatred for Bihar" was evident in the comments made by various opposition leaders from across the country.

Further criticism came from JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, who labeled the act as "extremely shameful." In a witty and strong-worded response, Jha highlighted the irony of the tweet. He said, "B doesn’t just mean beedi, it also means Buddhi (intellect), which you lack!" He added that "B also means budget, which irritates you whenever Bihar receives special assistance," directly linking the Congress’s actions to a lack of understanding and wisdom.

While the tweet was quickly removed, the political damage had already been done. The incident provided the BJP and its allies with fresh ammunition for their campaign, especially with crucial assembly elections looming in Bihar before November. The ruling coalition is now framing the issue as one of regional pride, positioning themselves as defenders of Bihar's honor against an opposition that they claim is disrespectful and insulting. The Congress has not yet offered an official response to the severe backlash.