New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a video showing him gifting her a packet of toffees.

Gandhi said, "This isn't leadership, it's a gimmick."

He made the remarks while on a visit to Raebareli and Amethi, alleging that ordinary citizens were facing severe distress while the Prime Minister projected a contrasting public image.

He said, "At a time farmers, labourers, traders and others in the country are all in tears, the prime minister is laughing and making reels while BJP folks are clapping along," adding, "An economic storm is raging over our heads, and our prime minister is busy handing out candies in Italy!"

Speaking to reporters while boarding a car, Gandhi said, "The youth are in depression, NEET has been cancelled, gas and petrol prices are continuously rising, inflation is increasing, and Modi ji is eating toffees with (Giorgia) Meloni. This is the country's condition."

In his speech in Amethi, he said, "Before going to Italy and meeting Meloni, Modi gave a speech in Hindustan and said - an economic storm is coming, don't go abroad.

"And he himself, with a Melody toffee in his pocket, took his expensive airplane and went to Italy. Then he fed Meloni the toffee and made a reel. See... what kind of prank is being played with the people of the country."

Giorgia Meloni shared a post on X thanking Modi and uploaded a short video in which she is seen receiving a packet of Parle’s ‘Melody’ toffees.

"Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift -- a very very good toffee," Meloni said in the video as Modi shows the packet and says "Melody".

"Thank you for the gift," she said in her post.

Congress escalates attack on government

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Prime Minister over issues including rising prices, unemployment, paper leaks, falling investment, and a weakening rupee.

He said, "Modi ji wants the public to enjoy the 'melody' of speeches while surviving the 'misery' of his government's loot."

He also shared a poster titled "Looting is MELODY for BJP, but MISERY for citizens!"

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the gesture was inappropriate for a head of government.

"I understand at the age of 75, Prime Minister Modi feels fatherly love towards most 49 year olds - including Italian Prime Minister Meloni. So he carried toffees for her.

"But this isn't appropriate gift from a head of state. It's Cringe Pro Max!," she said in a post on X.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said the country was in a difficult situation while the Prime Minister was focused on foreign visits and online visuals.

"You have to become an example yourself. You can't ask me to sacrifice, when I see nothing has changed in your life," he said, referring to Modi's earlier message asking people to defer gold purchases and foreign travel.

The Congress also posted on X, "Narendra Modi Ji, the country is in crisis. Stop distributing candies. Start taking action."

BJP and Piyush Goyal respond

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal criticised Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of opposing India’s global standing.

"Why does Rahul Gandhi hate India and everything made in India so much," he asked in a post on X.

Goyal also wrote, "India's TOFFEE TALE would surely be melody to the ears! Exports have grown nearly 166% since 2013-14."

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said on X, "MELODI just got a little SWEETER".