Congress’ Kerala social media head VT Balram resigned after a controversial KPCC post linked Bihar with bidis following GST changes on sin goods. The remark drew sharp criticism from political leaders nationwide as Bihar heads for assembly polls later this year.
Congress MLA VT Balram (Photo Credits: Facebook)
The Congress Kerala unit’s social media head has resigned after a controversial post drew criticism from political leaders across states. VT Balram, a two-time legislator from Kerala’s Thrithala constituency, stepped down from his role, a day after the KPCC’s official handle on X posted a controversial message linking Bihar with Bidis in connection with recently announced Goods and Services Tax (GST) changes.
The post said, “Bidis and Bihar start from B. Cannot be considered a sin anymore.”
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The post sparked outrage among political leaders nationwide, with many terming it derogatory and insulting towards Bihar. The state is one of the country’s major centres of Bidi production, an industry that employs nearly 70 lakh workers across India.
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The BJP slammed the remark, while the Congress distanced itself from it. The post appeared shortly after the GST Council announced a major rate overhaul, reducing the slabs to two—5% and 18%—while introducing a new 40% cess on ‘sin goods’ such as cigarettes and soft drinks. Rates on several daily-use items were also slashed.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the Bihar Assembly polls in October, following the publication of the updated voter list under the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, as per media reports.
According to the media reports, the poll dates are likely to be declared in the first or early second week of October. Elections could be held in two to three phases in November, most likely after the Chhath Puja festival, which holds major significance in Bihar.
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