Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his viral “Melodi” moment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy. Rahul Gandhi said the country was facing an “economic storm” while the Prime Minister was “busy handing out toffee in Italy.”
The criticism came after PM Modi gifted Melody toffees to Meloni during a meeting in Italy. The moment quickly went viral online and revived the popular “Melodi” trend on social media.
Viral video draws attention
Meloni shared a video of the exchange on X. In the clip, she held up the packet of Melody chocolates gifted by PM Modi and said, “PM Modi brought us a gift. It is Melody.”
She captioned the post, “Thank you for the gift.”
Soon after, the video spread widely across social media platforms. Many users reacted to the “Melodi” reference, a nickname created by combining Modi and Meloni. The phrase first gained popularity during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023 after Meloni posted a selfie with PM Modi.
Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi
Rahul Gandhi reacted strongly to the viral clip in a post on X. He wrote that an “economic storm is raging” in the country while PM Modi was “busy handing out toffee in Italy”.
“Farmers, youth, women, laborers, and small traders are all in tears - the PM is laughing and making reels, while the BJP folks are clapping along. This isn't leadership, it's a farce,” he added.
आर्थिक तूफ़ान सर पर है, और हमारे प्रधानमंत्री इटली में टॉफ़ी बाँट रहे हैं!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 20, 2026
किसान, युवा, महिलाएँ, मज़दूर और छोटे व्यापारी सब रो रहे हैं - PM हंसकर रील बना रहे हैं, और BJP वाले ताली बजा रहे हैं।
यह नेतृत्व नहीं, नौटंकी है।
Congress leader raises economic concerns
While addressing a ‘Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha’ in Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of ignoring serious economic issues. He referred to PM Modi’s recent appeal asking people to reduce petrol use, avoid buying gold, spend less and limit foreign travel.
Rahul Gandhi claimed the remarks pointed to rising inflation and economic pressure.
“Before leaving India and before going to Italy to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the people of India that an economic storm was coming. He said people should use less petrol, not buy gold, spend less and avoid travelling abroad. But just a day later, Narendra Modi boarded an aircraft worth ₹3,000–4,000 crore and went to Italy carrying toffees in his pocket, where he offered Melody toffee to the Prime Minister there,” he said.
He also criticised the government over fuel shortages, inflation and the condition of industries.
“Now look at what kind of mockery is being made of the people of this country. There is a shortage of petrol, a shortage of gas, businesses are shutting down, factories are closing, inflation is rising, farmers are not getting fertiliser, and the entire industrial system will be shaken," the Congress leader added.
Rahul Gandhi also renewed his criticism of demonetisation. He alleged that the government was handing public wealth and institutions to a few industrialists.