Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting Melody toffees to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni during his Italy visit, calling it tone-deaf while an “economic storm is raging” at home. The lighthearted “Melodi” clip — Meloni showing the packet and thanking Modi — went viral on social media, prompting Gandhi to accuse the prime minister of prioritising photo-ops over pressing economic woes.
Speaking at a Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha in Raebareli, Gandhi said farmers, youth, women, labourers and small traders were “in tears” as shortages, rising inflation and factory closures bite, while Modi was “busy handing out toffee in Italy.” He pointed to the PM’s own advisories urging people to cut fuel use, avoid foreign travel and limit gold purchases as evidence of a looming crisis, and contrasted that with the PM’s costly overseas trip.
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Gandhi also renewed attacks on government policies such as demonetisation, alleging concentration of public wealth and institutions in a few private hands. The remark adds political heat to a debate over optics versus governance as parties prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
