Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday initiated a scathing attack on the Congress-RJD coalition over an incendiary social media post that compared Bihar to a bidi after the recent hike in GST.
Describing it as an insult to the state, Modi condemned the now-deleted comment posted by the Kerala Congress organization.
"You must have noticed that RJD's ally, the Congress party, is comparing Bihar to a beedi on social media. People have so much hatred for Bihar. They harbor so much hatred for Bihar and, through corruption and scams, have caused great harm to the state. Whenever Bihar progresses, these people are hellbent to insult Bihar," PM Modi said while addressing a gathering in Purnea.
He also emphasized that his government would stop infiltration, which he claimed was encouraged when the opposition party was in power.
The furore broke out after Kerala Congress put up a post that stated, "Bidis and Bihar begin with B. Cannot be thought of as a sin anymore," in response to the GST Council decision to cut tax on bidis to 18 percent. The post soon invited anger of the BJP and its ally JD(U). The RJD, however, distanced itself from the statement, terming it "wrong.
Even though Kerala Congress owned up to the post being "a mistake" and apologized, BJP leaders continued to label the Congress with an "anti-Bihar mindset."
Intensifying his attack, PM Modi said in Purnea, "For RJD and Congress, the biggest concern is to worry about their own family. These people will never worry about your family. But for Modi, you all are Modi's family. And that is why Modi says 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'...Modi cares about your expenses, cares about your savings."
He linked the government’s GST reforms to relief for households ahead of the festive season. "Many festivals are coming in the coming days. This time, before Diwali and Chhath, our government has given a very big gift to the poor and the middle class. From the first day of Navratri, 22nd September, GST will be drastically reduced in the country. GST has been drastically reduced on most of the things you need in your daily life," he said.
Addressing women in the audience, PM Modi added, "My mothers and sisters who have come here, I especially want to tell you that due to reduction in GST, the kitchen expenses are going to be reduced a lot. From toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to ghee and many food items will become cheaper. The price of stationery used for children's studies will decrease. This time it will be easier to buy new clothes and shoes for children during the festival, because they will also be cheaper. When there is a government that cares about the poor, it works for the welfare of the poor."
