Thiruvanthapuram, Sep 6 (PTI) The KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, on Saturday admitted that there was a "mistake" and "lack of caution" while posting the "bidis and Bihar" jibe on the social media handle of the party's state unit, a day after it was deleted following a political backlash.

Joseph said the 'X' post was deleted and an apology was tendered by the social media team as directed by the state leadership.

Kerala state unit of the Congress in a recent post on X, allegedly drew parallels between Bihar and Bidi (a tobacco product) in the wake of the recent GST reforms, and triggered sharp reactions from the BJP.

The now deleted post said, "Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered sin anymore".

"The post has been deleted. The responsible persons - admin of the social media handle and the person who operates it, withdrew it and tendered an apology. The Congress does not endorse that," Sunny Joseph told a TV channel.

While replying to a question, he also said there was a mistake and a lack of caution in putting out such a post.

The matter was taken up with former legislator V T Balram, who is in charge of KPCC's digital media cell, Joseph added.

Several North Indian leaders criticised Congress for the now-deleted X post.

"Our jibe at Modi's election gimmick with GST rates is being twisted. Our apologies if you felt hurt," the party said in a fresh X post on Friday. PTI LGK ADB

GST reforms prompt social media jibe over bidis; KPCC chief admits error and post deleted with apology. Proposed changes to GST reforms affecting bidis prompted a deleted social media post equating bidis with Bihar; the state party president admitted a mistake, administrators withdrew the post and issued an apology, and the matter was referred to the party's digital media cell for handling.