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Published Sep 10, 2025 | 1:57 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 10, 2025 | 1:57 PM
The party's official digital media wing recently put out an X post comparing GST rates. For reasons no one has yet been able to explain, the comparison dragged Bihar into the mix.
Synopsis: An ill-timed and ill-conceived post on the KPCC’s social media page has sparked a controversy, besides revealing the simmering discord beneath the all-is-well facade, which the party is exhibiting in public.
The changes in Goods and Services Tax (GST), announced on 3 September, seemed to have sparked an unexpected “existential” crisis in the political life of Congress leader VT Balram in Kerala.
While former MLA Balram was confident that he headed the Congress’s Digital Media Cell as its chairman in Kerala, a now-deleted social media post on GST changes made him contemplate his role.
The post, which hyphenated Beedi and Bihar to drive in an ill-conceived point, led to a controversy, forcing Opposition Leader VD Satheesan to say that he was unaware of the existence of any social media mechanism in the Congress.
Though Satheesan’s statement has been viewed as a bid to distance himself from the controversy — which found resonance in Bihar — his disowning the Media Cell made Balram to rethink his role, and offer to step down from its chairmanship.
Incidentally, the Cell has been without a president ever since a miffed P Sarin crossed the floors to the CPI(M) from the Congress ahead of the Palakkad Assembly bypoll. Sarin left the seat after he was denied the opportunity to contest, and was replaced by Rahul Mamkoottathil.
Satheesan’s comment came even as the BJP and the CPI(M) have been infusing fresh blood into their social media initiatives to stay visible and relevant to young voters.
Many view Satheesan’s comment as a reflection of the growing intraparty squabbles, which found a new impetus after allegations of sexual misconduct rocked Mamkoottathil.
However, a quick look at Satheesan’s social media activities added credence to his statement that he was unaware of the state unit’s Media Cell.
Even as he had shared or reposted posts of Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge, and the AICC’s official handle, not a single post from the Congress Kerala unit could be seen on his page.
Party insiders said Satheesan’s aversion to the state’s Media Cell was not new, nor was it linked exclusively to the Beedi-Bihar controversy. He kept a distance even when Anil Antony, who later joined the BJP, headed the Cell.
It is not known if Satheesan would reconsider his stand. The social media has once again shown its might when Nepali Gen-Zs’ anti-corruption protest turned violent after the government in the Himalayan nation had put the lid on popular public network platforms.
