KOCHI: A controversy regarding an X post by Kerala unit of the Congress which drew parallels between ‘bidis and Bihar’ has cost V T Balram the post of party digital media cell head in the state. The Congress state unit has decided to revamp the digital media cell following the controversy.“Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered sin any more,” the post stated. The post reportedly targeted the recent GST reforms brought by the Union govt, where the tax rates on cigarettes and tobacco were increased to 40% and the rates on bidis were brought down from 28% to 18%.BJP and NDA alliance leaders came up with severe criticism against the post, citing it intended to defame the people of Bihar.Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Sunny Joseph, on Saturday said that there was a “mistake” and “lack of caution” while posting the ‘bidis and Bihar’ jibe on the party state unit’s social media handle. Joseph also said that the post was deleted and an apology was tendered by the social media team as directed by the state leadership.Joseph told reporters that the post had been deleted. The responsible persons — admin of the social media handle and the person who operates it — withdrew it and tendered an apology, he said. Joseph also said that the Congress did not endorse the post. To a query, he said there was a mistake and a lack of caution in putting out such a post. Joseph said that matter was discussed with Balram.After deleting the post, the party came up with an apology which was posted on X. “We see that our jibe at Modi’s election gimmick with GST rates is being twisted. Our apologies if you felt hurt.”Following controversy and talks with Joseph, Balram expressed his desire to be relieved of the post. Balram, the former MLA from Thrithala in Palakkad, cited lack of time to spend as the convener of the KPCC’s digital wing as the reason.