A Kerala Congress post comparing Bihar with bidis sparks BJP outrage.
New Delhi: A major political controversy broke out after the Kerala unit of the Congress posted a remark on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Bidis and Bihar start with B.” Although the message was intended to criticise the Union Government’s recent revisions in GST rates on tobacco products, it instantly sparked furious reactions for being derogatory towards Bihar and its people. The post was later deleted by the Congress amid mounting outrage, but the damage had already been done as it ignited a sharp war of words between the BJP and the opposition.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai strongly rebuked the Congress, accusing the party of having a pattern of insulting Bihar.
“Congress leaders across the nation, along with RJD leaders in Bihar, take pride in humiliating Biharis. The people of Bihar will give a befitting reply to anyone who attempts to harm their dignity and self-respect,” Rai said, pointedly blaming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for encouraging such conduct.
Notably, the controversial post came against the backdrop of the GST Council’s move to hike taxes on cigars, cigarettes, and other tobacco products to 40 per cent, while cutting the rate on bidis from 28 to 18 per cent.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also hit out at the Congress, claiming that the party had a long record of belittling others. “Earlier they insulted the revered mother of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, and now they have chosen to target the entire state of Bihar. This reflects the true character of the Congress party, which is being repeatedly exposed before the people of this country,” he remarked.
Several BJP leaders echoed the criticism. Party spokesperson Sanjay Mayukh alleged that the Kerala Congress functions at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, stating, “This kind of disrespect is not accidental. It reflects Rahul Gandhi’s frustration. The people of Bihar will not forget such insults and will avenge them through their response.”Another BJP leader, Ajay Alok, went further by mocking the Congress, saying, “B for budbak (fool) and B for baalbuddhi (childish)—this is the identity of Congress. Since 1989, Bihar has kept them out of power, and today, by calling Bihar ‘beedi,’ they have invited their own downfall. The ‘beedi’ will burn them down politically.” Meanwhile, Congress’s ally in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), attempted to downplay the controversy while simultaneously turning the criticism on the BJP. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, “The post has already been taken down. The entire nation and the world know about Bihar’s respect and honour. But why is the BJP forgetting its own silence in the past? When Prime Minister Modi himself questioned Nitish Kumar’s DNA, it was an insult to 14 crore people of Bihar. When Biharis were attacked and forced to leave Maharashtra and Gujarat, why did the BJP remain quiet?”
He further added, “B stands for Bihar, B stands for Buddha’s land, and B stands for the soil of intellectuals. The strength of Bihar is acknowledged by everyone. Instead of running fake propaganda, the BJP should reflect on its own record.”
Although the Congress has refrained from issuing a formal statement beyond the deletion of the post, the episode has reignited debates around political rhetoric, respect for regional identity, and the exploitation of regional pride, all of which continue to dominate the political narrative in poll-bound Bihar. The Sunday Guardian also contacted Bihar Congress leaders for their response, but they chose to remain silent on the matter.
