‘Economic storm raging…’: Rahul Gandhi hits out at ‘busy’ PM Modi over ‘Melody’ toffee disc with Italian PM Meloni | Today’s news
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday criticized “busy” Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rising fuel prices, the state of the Indian economy and his recent gift of “Melody” to Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, accusing the government of downplaying serious economic problems.
He claimed the central government was ignoring signs of a looming economic crisis as the war in the Middle East continued.
“An economic storm is raging over our heads and our PM is busy handing out candies in Italy! Farmers, youth, women, laborers and small traders are in tears – the PM is laughing and making reels while the BJP people are clapping. This is not leadership, this is farce,” Rahul Gandhi said on X.
His comments came during PM Modi’s visit to Italy where he met Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni in Rome. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi presented Meloni with a box of ‘Melody’ caramels, reviving the widely shared ‘Melody’ trend on social media centered around the two leaders.
Rahul Gandhi has claimed that India is heading for a severe economic slowdown, attributing the situation to escalating global tensions and what he described as economic mismanagement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
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“Now an economic storm is coming – the likes of which India has never seen. Strait of Hormuz has been closed. Yet they claim there is no shortage of petrol… BJP members are mocking me,” ANI quoted Gandhi as addressing party workers in Raebareli.
He went on to mention, “They’re eating caramels with Meloni and making videos — acting like it’s all a joke — only to come back later and fold their arms.”
Rahul Gandhi targets RSS, BJP leadership
Gandhi also reiterated his criticism of the government over demonetisation, arguing that the nation’s wealth and public institutions had been transferred to a handful of industrialists.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sold India’s economic system. He has handed over India’s economic system to Ambani, Adani and America. Now an economic storm is coming and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India will not be able to save you,” LoP said in the Lok Sabha.
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He targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP leadership, accusing them of undermining the Constitution and said he stood by his earlier remarks against Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“When these RSS workers come before you, they will talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, then you have to tell them to their face that your Prime Minister, Home Minister and the organization (BJP) are traitors, you have worked to sell India. You have worked to attack the Constitution,” the Congress MP said.
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Commenting on rising inflation and higher fuel prices, Rahul Gandhi said PM Modi was advising people to avoid foreign travel and gold purchases and buy electric vehicles instead. He also warned that farmers may face shortage of fertilizers in the coming months and claimed that inflation along with prices of petrol, diesel, edible oil, cooking gas, pulses and rice are likely to rise significantly.
He claimed: “Before the election, it was said that there is no shortage of petrol or gas. Petrol prices will not increase. Today, when petrol prices are rising, Ambani is exporting petrol from India to foreign countries. Ambani is buying petrol from Russia and selling it outside and with this money he is funding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is true.”
(With agency input)
