Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of focusing on publicity while the country faced an economic storm due to rising prices and unemployment.Referring to the viral video of Modi gifting candies to her Italian counterpart, Rahul said: “An economic storm is raging over our heads, and our Prime Minister is busy handing out candies in Italy! This isn’t leadership, it’s a gimmick.”The former Congress president accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of gross economic mismanagement. He said when farmers, labourers and traders in the country were in tears due to economic distress, the Prime Minister was laughing and making reels while the BJP folks were clapping along.Related news:Modi wants public to enjoy ‘melody’ of his speeches while surviving ‘misery’ of govt’s loot: KhargeMelody chocolate for Meloni? PM Modi’s ‘sweet diplomacy’ steals the spotlight, Melodi memes returnMelody khao, stock badhao? Retail investors bite into wrong Parle amid Modi-Meloni toffee buzzCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge said people were being made to listen to the “melody” of speeches while suffering the “misery” of the government’s policies.Kharge alleged that during the BJP-led government’s 11 years in power, the average debt burden on Indians had increased sharply while the wealth of 229 tycoons and 26 newly-added billionaires had crossed Rs 97.50 lakh crore.He claimed that the Modi government wanted citizens to enjoy the “melody” of speeches while surviving the “misery” caused by inflation and economic hardship. “Modi ji wants the public to enjoy the “melody” of speeches while surviving the “misery” of his government’s loot!” Kharge said.Targeting rising prices, Kharge said the cost of domestic LPG cylinders had increased from Rs 414 in 2014 to more than Rs 915 in 2026, while commercial LPG cylinder prices had risen from Rs 1,241 to Rs 3,152.The Congress chief alleged that more than Rs 43 lakh crore had been collected from citizens through petrol taxes and excise duties over the years. He also claimed that recent fuel price hikes generated around Rs 12,400 crore for government oil companies within hours while households struggled with mounting expenses.Kharge said prices of CNG, milk, bread and medicines had also risen sharply, adding to the burden on common people.On unemployment, he claimed that youth unemployment in the 15-29 age group had reached 15.2 per cent in March 2026. He also alleged that 90 examination paper leaks in the last 10 years had affected the future of nearly nine crore young job aspirants.The Congress president further raised concerns over the falling rupee, decline in foreign exchange reserves and foreign portfolio investment outflows. He claimed the rupee had touched a record low of 96.90 while India’s forex reserves had declined by around $38 billion in the last two months following the West Asia conflict.Kharge also alleged that around Rs 2.2 lakh crore had flown out of Indian equity markets through foreign portfolio investor withdrawals this year.“Every aspect of the economy is suffering, but the Prime Minister continues with PR exercises while asking citizens to bear the burden,” he said.