**Political Controversy Erupts Over Congress Tweet Linking Bihar to Bidis**
A political uproar ensued on Friday when the Congress party’s Kerala unit shared a contentious tweet that drew a comparison between Bihar and bidis, seemingly aimed at mocking the BJP in light of recent GST reforms. The tweet, which has since been deleted, sparked outrage from the BJP and its ally, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], who accused the Congress of disrespecting the people of Bihar, a state preparing for elections before November.
The controversial tweet stated, “Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered sin anymore,” and included a chart detailing the new GST rates. This chart indicated that the tax on cigars and cigarettes would rise from 28% to 40%, while the tax on tobacco would also increase from 28% to 40%. In contrast, the GST on bidis was reduced from 28% to 18%, effectively removing it from the category of ‘sin goods’ that incur the highest tax rates.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, responded vehemently, labeling the tweet an “insult to the entire state.” He remarked, “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.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned the Congress for crossing boundaries, questioning whether RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav supported such remarks. He stated, “Congress crosses the line again. After abusing PM Narendra Modi ji’s mother, now compares Bihar with Bidi! Does Tejaswi Yadav endorse this?” Poonawalla further claimed that the Congress’s disdain for Bihar was evident across various party leaders.
JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha also criticized the Congress, calling the tweet “an extremely shameful act.” He added, “B doesn’t just mean beedi, it also means Buddhi, which you lack! B also means budget, which irritates you whenever Bihar receives special assistance.”
As of now, the Congress has not issued an official response to the backlash. The incident has provided the BJP and its allies with new material for their campaign, framing the issue as one of regional pride and respect as the assembly elections approach.
**FAQ**
**What was the controversy surrounding the Congress tweet about Bihar?**
The Congress party’s Kerala unit tweeted a comparison between Bihar and bidis, which led to accusations from the BJP and JD(U) of disrespecting the people of Bihar, especially in light of upcoming elections.
