‘PM handing out toffee’ while ‘economic storm is raging’: Rahul Gandhi over ‘Melodi’ row

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his viral interaction with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his Italy visit, saying the country was facing an “economic storm” while the Prime Minister was “busy handing out toffee in Italy”. The remarks came after videos and photographs of Modi gifting Melody toffees to Meloni circulated widely on social media.

During his visit to Rome as part of a five-nation foreign tour, Prime Minister Modi presented a packet of Melody toffees to Giorgia Meloni, referencing the popular “Melodi” phrase associated with the two leaders online. In a video shared by Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister was heard saying, “PM Modi brought us a gift. It is Melody,” while displaying the packet. The clip quickly gained attention across social media platforms.

Reacting to the exchange, Rahul Gandhi said in a social media post that farmers, youth, women, labourers, and small traders were struggling while the Prime Minister was “laughing and making reels”. He further stated that the situation reflected misplaced priorities at a time when economic concerns were affecting different sections of society. Gandhi also criticised Modi during a public event, referring to the Prime Minister’s recent remarks advising people to reduce fuel consumption and limit foreign travel.

Rahul Gandhi additionally claimed that inflation would rise sharply in the coming months and referred to possible increases in the prices of petrol, diesel, gas, and food items. He questioned the Prime Minister’s foreign visit immediately after appeals regarding economic caution. During another address, Gandhi accused the government of failing to provide economic protection to citizens while focusing on optics and social media moments abroad.

The Bharatiya Janata Party responded to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, with party leaders describing the comments as inappropriate and politically motivated. The interaction between Modi and Meloni took place during the final leg of the Prime Minister’s overseas tour, which included visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. The term “Melodi”, combining the surnames of Modi and Meloni, first gained popularity during international summits and has since been repeatedly referenced online during meetings between the two leaders.