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Mallikarjun Kharge attacked PM Modi over inflation, unemployment and fuel price hikes, using the viral “Melody” gift to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
Mallikarjun Kharge slams PM Modi
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rising inflation, unemployment and fuel prices, using the now-viral “Melody” toffee gift presented by PM Modi to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a political metaphor.
In a social media post, Kharge said, “Modi ji wants the public to enjoy the ‘melody’ of speeches while surviving the ‘misery’ of his government’s loot!” as he accused the BJP-led government of pushing citizens into economic distress while continuing its “PR exercise.”
The Congress chief’s remarks came amid widespread online discussion over PM Modi gifting “Melody” chocolates to Meloni during his Italy visit, a gesture that had sparked a wave of memes and social media reactions.
At the same time, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the Prime Minister over fuel price hikes and austerity measures, while PM Modi continued his ongoing five-nation foreign tour.
KHARGE LISTS PRICE RISE, DEBT AND UNEMPLOYMENT
In his post, Kharge claimed that the “average debt per Indian has increased 11-fold” during the BJP government’s tenure, while the wealth of billionaires had surged massively.
He alleged that “229 tycoons, along with 26 newly added billionaires,” now collectively hold wealth worth over Rs 97.50 lakh crore.
Launching into what he termed “Pickpocketing Price Rise,” Kharge pointed to increases in LPG and fuel prices under the Modi government.
He claimed that domestic LPG cylinder prices had jumped from Rs 414 in 2014 to Rs 915.5 in 2026, while commercial cylinder rates rose from Rs 1,241 to Rs 3,152.
“CNG, Milk, Bread, Medicines – every price is skyrocketing!” Kharge wrote, while also alleging that over Rs 43 lakh crore had been extracted from citizens through petrol taxes and excise duties over the years.
The Congress president further alleged that recent fuel hikes helped oil companies generate around Rs 12,400 crore “within hours,” while ordinary households struggled with rising living costs.
‘90 PAPER LEAKS IN 10 YEARS’
Kharge also targeted the government over unemployment and alleged paper leaks in recruitment examinations.
Referring to youth unemployment figures, he claimed that unemployment among people aged 15 to 29 had climbed to 15.2 per cent in March 2026.
He further alleged that “90 examination paper leaks in 10 years under BJP rule have shattered recruitment credibility and devastated the future of nearly 9 crore youth.”
On the economy, Kharge claimed that the rupee had fallen to a historic low and alleged that India’s foreign exchange reserves had weakened due to global instability.
He also pointed to foreign portfolio investor outflows from equity markets.
“Every aspect of the Economy is suffering, but Modi ji continues his PR, lecturing citizens to shoulder the burden of this Grave Economic Storm!” he said.
Modi ji wants the public to enjoy the “melody” of speeches while surviving the “misery” of his government’s loot !In the past 11 years, under Modi Govt, the average debt per Indian has increased 11-fold….!!
…while the wealth of 229 tycoons, along with 26 newly added… pic.twitter.com/nyuuUuyjlY
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 20, 2026
RAHUL GANDHI ATTACKS PM OVER FOREIGN TOUR
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Bahujan Swabhimaan Sabha, accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy for advising citizens to avoid luxury spending while continuing with international visits.
“Narendra Modi tells the public: Don’t buy gold, Don’t go abroad, Drive an electric vehicle. Immediately after saying all this, Narendra Modi boards a multi-thousand-crore aircraft and heads abroad, while the public watches silently,” Gandhi said.
Warning of an “economic storm,” the Congress MP alleged that inflation would worsen and essential commodities would become costlier in the coming months.
“There will be severe inflation, prices of everything will rise, and there will be a shortage of fertilisers,” he claimed.
Rahul Gandhi also accused the Prime Minister of “selling off India’s economic system” to industrialists and foreign interests.
“PM Narendra Modi has sold off India’s economic system. He has handed over the economic system of India to Ambani, Adani and America,” he alleged.
PM MODI IN ITALY, MEETS MELONI
The Congress attack came in reference to PM Modi’s Italy visit, the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.
PM Modi was hosted for dinner by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and also visited the iconic Colosseum ahead of formal bilateral talks.
“Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner, followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum,” PM Modi posted on social media.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian diaspora and attended cultural performances by Italian artists showcasing Indian classical dance and music traditions.
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