• Source:JND
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Congress on Friday issued an apology over the controversy that erupted after the 'Bidis, Bihar start with B' post on GST reforms. In a post on X, Kerala Congress said, "We see that our jibe at Modi's election gimmick with GST rates is being twisted. Our apologies if you felt hurt."

Earlier in the day, the Kerala Congress took to X to criticise the GST reforms brought in by the government. In an attempt to do that, the Kerala Congress ended up in equating Bihar and Bidis (local cigarettes).

According to the latest GST reforms, sin products like cigarettes and other tobacco products will now be taxed at 40 per cent against current 28 per cent.

However, bidis have been placed under a lower tax slab of 18 per cent. The Kerala Congress tried to project it as a political move to target BJP. It said, "Bidis and Bihar starts with B. Can not be considered a sin anymore."

ALSO READ: Tejashwi Yadav Slams Congress For 'B For Bidi-Bihar' Jibe, Demands Immediate Apology

BJP slams Congress, Tejashwi seeks apology

BJP took objection to the post and slammed the Congress. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "First, the insult to the revered mother of our honorable Prime Minister Shri

Narendra Modi, and now the insult to the entire Bihar—this is the true character of the Congress, which is repeatedly being exposed before the country."

The controvesy further escalated when the Congress ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) demanded an apology for the post. RJD leader and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that an apology is necessary. "If anything objectionable has been said, then an apology must certainly be given," he stated.

ALSO READ: Kerala Congress' 'Bidis, Bihar Start With B' Tweet On GST Reform Creates Stir In Poll-Bound State, Samrat Choudhary Reacts

Janta Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha also came down heavily on Congress, saying that B doesn't just mean Beedi but also Buddhi. He said, "Another extremely shameful act by the Congress! Let me tell you that B doesn't just mean beedi, it also means budhdhi (intellect), which you lack! B also means budget, in which you get irritated when Bihar receives special assistance".

Congress is in hot water with this fresh controversy that came on the heels of another major row of abusive slogans that were hurled against the Prime Minister and her mother from a Congress stage at Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra.