Rahul targets PM Modi over ‘Melody’ toffee gift to Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by gifting his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni a set of 'Melody' toffees, has made the internet fondly recall the 'Melody moment' used to describe the viral selfie of the two leaders taken at COP 28 in 2023. The term ‘Melody’ is often used by netizens to refer to the bonhomie between PM Modi and Meloni.

The viral moment was posted by the Italian Prime Minister on X. As the two leaders were seen grinning ear to ear, Meloni said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought us a gift, a very good tophi,” before they burst out laughing.

However, the light-hearted months have not gone down well with the Opposition, which pointed out that the developments come at a time when PM Modi has urged the people to adapt fuel saving measures, including work from home, along with appeals not to buy gold and refrain from travelling abroad.

Rahul warns of ‘economic storm’

Taking a swipe at PM Modi over the gesture, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (May 20) said that the Centre was totally aloof to the harsh realities facing the common people as PM Modi was busy gifting trophies abroad.

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"An economic storm is brewing over our heads, and our Prime Minister is handing over toffees in Italy," said Rahul.

Attacks PM over foreign trip

"Farmers, youth, women, labourers, and small traders are all weeping--the PM is smiling and making Reels, while BJP members are clapping. This is not leadership; this is a theatrical gimmick,” he added in a post on X.

Earlier, Rahul questioned the timing of the trip amid concerns over inflation and rising fuel prices. Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, Rahul accused the Prime Minister of asking citizens to tighten spending while undertaking a multi-country foreign tour himself.

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Targeting PM Modi's recent public appeals, Rahul said that the government had been advising people against certain expenditures even as economic concerns continued to grow.

"Narendra Modi tells the public: Don't buy gold, Don't go abroad, Drive an electric vehicle. Immediately after saying all this, Narendra Modi boards a multi-thousand-crore aircraft and heads abroad, while the public watches silently," he said as quoted by ANI.

‘Economic structure weakened’

Repeating his warning of an impending "economic storm", Rahul claimed the country was heading toward rising costs and shortages. "There will be severe inflation, prices of everything will rise, and there will be a shortage of fertilisers," he said.

He further alleged that the country's economic structure had been weakened. "PM Narendra Modi has sold off India's economic system. He has handed over the economic system of India to Ambani, Adani and America," Rahul claimed.