Bihar Chunav 2025 (VT Balram): Kerala Congress leader V.T. for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 Balaram’s name is in the headlines. Balram, a two -time MLA and chairman of the Congress’s Digital Media Cell, has been engulfed in a political storm due to a disputed post.
The post was so disputed that there was a stir in the politics of Bihar and even Tejashwi Yadav demanded apology from the Congress. This is the same VT Balaram is, who wrote on the social media handle of Congress- Bedi B to Bihar. Now the question is who are VT Balaram and when and when he is caught in controversies. Let’s understand the whole story.
Who is VT Balaram? (Who is vt balram)
47 year old VT Balaram is considered an emerging face of the Kerala Congress. After studying engineering and management, he started with student politics. During college days, Kerala Students joined the Union (KSU) and became the State Secretary of Youth Congress in 2009.
After this VT Balaram became General Secretary and contested from Trithla Assembly seat in 2011 with Rahul Gandhi’s choice. This seat was considered to be the stronghold of CPI (M), but Balaram won and the Congress fort was erected there. In 2016 also V.T. Balaram won the seat again, although in 2021, CPI (M) leader M.B. Lose to Rajesh.
V.T. Balaram? (VT balram controversy)
VT Balaram is not caught in controversy for the first time. In 2010, he criticized the interference of caste leaders in the Congress’ organization. In 2018, he gave senior CPI (M) leader A.K. Gopalan and his wife Sushila had questioned the marriage, as there was a big difference in the age of both.
The leftist writers were also accused by Balaram that they keep silence on the political murders associated with CPI (M). That is, Belaus has been the identity of Balaram to live in rhetoric and controversies.
How did Bihar-Bidi Post become a ruckus?
A post was posted from the official X (Twitter) account of Kerala Congress- “Bidis and Bihar start with b. cannot be consides a sin anymore.” There was also a graphic along with the post, showing that the tax on the bidi in GST has been reduced to 28% to 18%, while the tax on cigarettes has been increased to 40%.
Actually, this post was to tighten the GST policy of the Modi government. But the language connecting “Bihar and Bidi” together was considered extremely objectionable. As a result, Bihar’s politics caught fire.
Congress rescue, but Balaram on backfoot
As soon as the post went viral, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed displeasure and demanded an apology from the Congress. Since Bihar elections are near, it became a big crisis for the Congress.
The Congress immediately clarified that this mistake was of digital media cell and Balaram is part of it, but the post was put without their knowledge. The party also said that Balaram himself intervened and removed the disputed post.
However, differences also emerged within the Congress. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satisan said that he did not even know that the Congress also has a social media cell. On the other hand, Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph made it clear that the party is not taking any action against Balaram, but the digital cell will be renewed.
Will Congress now do VT Balaram to Sidelai?
Balaram himself has said in the Facebook post that he had already told the party that he has some limitations in handling the digital media cell. Now the question is whether after this dispute, the Congress will gradually shore them? Because in view of the local body election and assembly elections, the party is going to prepare the social media wing afresh. In such a situation, in which direction the future of Balarama will go, it will be a matter to be seen.
VT Balaram was the face of ‘Young Brigade’ at one time in Kerala Congress. In the eyes of the public, he made an image that he is an educated and progressive leader. Even in 2017, he wrote his son’s name in the Government Primary School and gave a message that he trusts in public education.
But even a wrong post in politics can give a big blow to a career. The “Bihar-Bidi” controversy has proved that even a slight lapse in the election season gives a weapon to the opposition.