The Kerala unit of Congress created a political storm on September 5, 2025, after a controversial social media post regarding the Centre’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. In a now-deleted post on X, the Congress stated that “Bidis and Bihar start with B” and implied they "cannot be considered a sin anymore," referring to the recent GST reduction on bidis. The post was intended to mock the BJP over GST reforms, particularly the lowered tax on bidis from 28% to 18%, effectively removing it from the high-tax ‘sin goods’ category.

The post immediately triggered backlash from the BJP and its ally, the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U). Leaders accused the Congress of insulting the people of Bihar, a politically sensitive state headed for elections before November. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary strongly condemned the Congress’ statement, calling it an insult to the entire state. He said, “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.”

Adding to the political heat, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of crossing all limits and questioned whether RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav endorsed the remarks. Poonawalla stated, “Congress crosses the line again. After abusing PM Narendra Modi ji’s mother, now compares Bihar with Bidi! Does Tejashwi Yadav endorse this?”

The JD(U) also struck back with sharp words. Leader Sanjay Kumar Jha labeled the post as “an extremely shameful act by the Congress” and issued a witty retort, “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.” This remark was widely circulated on social media, framing the issue as a question of regional pride and respect.

The controversial Congress post also highlighted the GST rates on tobacco products. While bidis saw a reduction in GST from 28% to 18%, cigars and cigarettes saw a hike from 28% to 40%. This distinction became the center of political debate, with Congress using it to mock the BJP and its policies, while opposition parties leveraged it to rally public sentiment ahead of the Bihar assembly elections 2025.

Despite the uproar, the Congress has not issued an official response beyond deleting the tweet. However, the post has given the BJP and JD(U) fresh ammunition for their election campaigns, allowing them to frame the matter as an issue of respect for Bihar and regional pride. Political analysts suggest that social media gaffes like these can have a significant impact on voter sentiment, especially in a state gearing up for crucial polls.

This controversy comes amid rising scrutiny of Congress’ social media strategies, with previous instances of tweets drawing sharp criticism from allies and opponents alike. Analysts note that the Congress’ attempt to highlight GST reforms through satire inadvertently turned into a political liability, as opposition leaders swiftly capitalized on it to frame the party as disrespectful to Bihar and its people.

The episode demonstrates how tax reforms, social media messaging, and regional pride intersect in modern Indian politics. By targeting GST changes, the Congress aimed to project economic commentary, but the political narrative quickly shifted to Bihar’s respect and cultural sensitivity. BJP and JD(U) leaders, including Samrat Choudhary and Sanjay Kumar Jha, effectively turned the discussion toward political accountability and regional sentiments, intensifying the debate ahead of the elections.

In conclusion, the Congress’ now-deleted post linking Bihar and bidis over GST reforms has sparked widespread backlash from BJP and JD(U) leaders. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary called it an insult to the state, while JD(U) used the opportunity to deliver a sharp Buddhi jibe, emphasizing regional pride. This incident highlights the delicate balance political parties must maintain while commenting on sensitive issues like tax reforms and state identity, especially in an election year.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Airfloa Rail Technology, Dev Accelerator, Taurian MPS, Jay Ambe Supermarkets, Krupalu Metals, Urban Company, Shringar House of Mangalsutra, Karbonsteel Engineering.

The Current active IPO are Vashishtha Luxury Fashion, Sharvaya Metals, Vigor Plast India, Austere Systems.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.