The Indian PM’s “Melodi” moment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome has drawn criticism from opponents and many Indians.
As his government faces mounting economic pressures back home and he is accused of being obsessed with image-building.
Modi and Meloni were spotted taking group photos in the Colosseum during the visit, while a video shared on X on the sidelines of the event depicted Modi presenting Meloni with a pack of Indian “Melody” toffees, thus reviving the viral nickname “Melodi” for the two leaders.
The clip went viral on social media platforms, incurring a range of comments, some praising the gesture, while many ridiculed it given the ongoing concerns of fuel prices and inflation in India.
The opposition Indian National Congress lashed out at the PM, alleging he is more interested in creating theatrics and optics than solving the problems of the everyday citizen.
The party ridiculed Modi in a video released online, calling him “M for Melody, not Mehngai” and saying that the government seemed to be oblivious to the plight of millions of people struggling to meet their economic needs.
During his speech in Amethi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi intensified the criticism further, alleging that India was suffering from an ‘economic storm’ and the Prime Minister was ‘busy distributing toffees in Italy’.
Gandhi spoke about higher costs and uncertainties facing farmers, labourers, women and youth, and Modi was preoccupied with carefully orchestrated public appearances abroad.
The backlash is also coinciding with worries regarding worldwide oil supplies connected with the worry over the Middle East and the blockade fears of the Strait of Hormuz, which are likely to intensify pressure on Indian consumers.
Also read: Bloomberg report exposes cracks in India’s economy under Modi rule
