“Mockery of Indians…”: Rahul Gandhi Takes Swipe at PM Modi Over ‘Melody Toffee’ Gift to Giorgia Meloni

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being disconnected from the country’s economic concerns while “handing out toffee in  Italy”. The Congress leader’s remarks came in response to a viral video showing Prime Minister Modi gifting Melody toffees to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy, reviving the much-discussed “Melodi” social media trend associated with the two leaders.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi criticised the Prime Minister, alleging that India was grappling with growing economic challenges while Modi was focused on optics abroad. “An economic storm is raging in the country while the Prime Minister is busy handing out toffee in Italy,” Gandhi wrote. “Farmers, youth, women, labourers and small traders are all in tears — the PM is laughing and making reels, while BJP people are clapping along. This isn't leadership, it's a farce,” he added.

Later in the day, while addressing a Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha in Raebareli, his parliamentary constituency, Rahul Gandhi sharpened his attack and linked Modi’s Italy visit to recent government messaging on austerity and fuel conservation. Referring to Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to reduce fuel consumption, limit spending and avoid unnecessary foreign travel amid rising economic pressures, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy. “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,” Gandhi said.

“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,” added the Raebareli MP.  The Congress MP further alleged that the country was facing mounting economic difficulties, including inflation, shortages and pressure on businesses. “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,” Gandhi claimed. He also renewed criticism of the government over demonetisation and accused the Centre of concentrating wealth and institutions in the hands of a select group of industrialists.

The criticism followed a video shared by Meloni on social media in which she is seen holding a packet of Melody chocolates gifted by Modi. In the clip, the Italian Prime Minister says, “PM Modi brought us a gift. It is Melody,” before thanking him for the present. “Thank you for the gift,” Meloni wrote alongside the video, which quickly gained traction online. The exchange once again brought back the term “Melodi”, a phrase coined by combining Modi and Meloni’s surnames, which first gained popularity during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023 after the two leaders were seen interacting warmly. Prime Minister Modi is currently in Italy as part of the final leg of his multi-nation Europe tour, following visits to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.