Congress sharpened its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a light-hearted exchange with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome went viral, with party spokesperson Pawan Khera saying the opposition was duty-bound to voice public anger at a time of economic stress and political distrust.
Khera backed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Prime Minister over the “Melodi” moment, questioning whether such public banter was appropriate when, in the opposition’s framing, citizens were facing inflation, higher fuel costs, pressure on household budgets and anxiety over jobs. His remarks came after Meloni shared a video in which Modi presented her with a packet of Melody toffees, reviving the social media nickname that blends the two leaders’ surnames.
“Today the country expects the opposition to raise the voice of the anger, sorrow, and feeling of betrayal in the nation’s heart, and Rahul Gandhi has masterfully raised that voice,” Khera said. He accused Modi of diminishing the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office, adding that the leader represented 1.4 billion people and should display seriousness during a period of national strain.
The exchange turned a diplomatic visit into a domestic political flashpoint. Modi was in Rome for talks with Meloni on 19-20 May, during which both governments elevated bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership. The discussions covered defence industrial cooperation, critical minerals, technology, mobility, supply chains and maritime security. Both sides also reaffirmed a target of raising bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029, from about €14.25 billion in 2025.
The viral clip, however, overtook much of the formal diplomacy in the public conversation. Meloni’s post drew massive online engagement within hours, while brands and social media users quickly joined the trend. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party projected the moment as evidence of Modi’s personal warmth and diplomatic ease, while Congress cast it as political theatre detached from domestic hardship.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had earlier called the gesture a “gimmick” and said leadership required attention to the struggles of farmers, labourers, traders and young people. Speaking during engagements in Uttar Pradesh, he linked the episode to his wider charge that the government had failed to respond adequately to economic pressures. He also criticised Modi for warning citizens about difficult economic conditions and cautioning against avoidable spending, while undertaking an overseas tour himself.
The BJP responded sharply. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal accused Gandhi of being unable to tolerate the country’s global profile and questioned why Congress objected to a made-in-India confectionery brand being showcased abroad. Party leaders argued that the opposition was trivialising diplomacy and seeking controversy where none existed.
The confrontation underlines how foreign-policy optics have become part of domestic political combat. Modi’s personal rapport with world leaders has long been a feature of the BJP’s communication strategy, used to project global stature and diplomatic confidence. Congress, by contrast, has increasingly sought to challenge that image by linking overseas symbolism to domestic economic concerns, constitutional issues and questions over institutional accountability.
Khera’s intervention also reflected Congress’ effort to defend Gandhi’s more aggressive rhetoric. Gandhi had accused Modi, Amit Shah and the RSS of undermining constitutional values, language that drew strong condemnation from the BJP. Congress has sought to position those remarks as a political response to what it describes as concentration of power, pressure on democratic institutions and unequal economic gains.
The Rome visit nevertheless produced substantive outcomes. The joint declaration set up a foreign ministers-led mechanism to review the 2025-2029 action plan and guide the upgraded partnership. Defence cooperation is expected to include industrial collaboration and possible co-development of platforms, while critical minerals cooperation is aimed at strengthening access to materials needed for advanced manufacturing, clean energy and strategic technologies.
