Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for focusing on social media reels during a visit to Italy [1].
The remarks highlight a growing political clash over the government's priorities as India faces global economic volatility and regional tensions. Gandhi said the administration is prioritizing optics over the urgent needs of the poor and the stability of the national economy [3].
Speaking at a public rally in the Hooghly constituency of West Bengal on Saturday, Gandhi targeted a viral video showing the Prime Minister handing toffees to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni [1, 2]. He said that while an "economic storm" is raging, the Prime Minister is busy handing out candies [2].
Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy, saying that Modi warns Indians about an approaching economic crisis while he continues to travel on a costly aircraft [2, 4]. He said the government is ignoring critical global tensions, specifically mentioning the conflict in the Middle East and the situation at the Strait of Hormuz [4].
During the rally, Gandhi said, "He is selling off the country" [1]. He said the current leadership only helps the rich in the country and neglects the poor [3].
The opposition leader described the Prime Minister's activities in Rome as trivial gestures that contrast with the severity of the challenges facing the Indian public [2, 4]. He said the production of social-media reels is a distraction from the governing responsibilities required to navigate the current global climate [2].
“"Economic storm raging, PM busy handing out candies"”
This confrontation reflects a strategic effort by the opposition to frame the current administration as detached from the economic struggles of ordinary citizens. By linking the Prime Minister's diplomatic interactions and social media presence to the cost of government travel and global instability, Gandhi is attempting to pivot the political discourse from national prestige to domestic economic accountability.
