The Bengal BJP on Friday distributed Melody toffees as part of celebrations marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 12 years in office and his status as India’s longest-serving Prime Minister.

Melody toffee gained popularity after Modi gifted the Indian confectionery to his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, during his official visit to Rome on May 20.

Meloni posted a video on her Instagram profile, saying, “Prime Minister Modi has brought us a very, very good toffee — Melody.”

The video showed Modi displaying a packet of Melody toffee made in India, with both Prime Ministers sharing a laugh over the gift.

BJP leaders said Melody was not just a toffee but also symbolised the Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative, as he chose to gift an Indian-made product to his Italian counterpart during an overseas visit instead of foreign-made chocolates.

“Earlier, we used to see dignitaries gifting chocolates or gifts made abroad. Modi ji broke that convention and gifted his Italian counterpart a packet of toffees made in India. We gifted the toffees among the guests to pay respect to his idea while celebrating his 12-year tenure as India’s longest-serving Prime Minister,” said BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar.

Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated an exhibition highlighting selected achievements of Modi at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre and later addressed a news conference focusing on Modi’s major achievements for the people of India during his tenure.

Suvendu said a single field would not be enough to accommodate and display all the Prime Minister’s works and achievements, and that the BJP had organised the exhibition showcasing only a selection of them.

Besides Melody, jhalmuri — which had become a symbol of celebrating the BJP’s electoral victories in Bengal — was also served at Friday’s exhibition inauguration programme.
Adhikari was accompanied by several senior BJP leaders, including state general secretaries Locket Chatterjee and Sashi Agnihotri.