Bengaluru: Leveling serious allegations on the ruling BJP of misusing the food distribution programme for the migrant labourers in the city, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a probe must be conducted into the programme of the Departmet of Labour, which has been hijacked by the BJP for political gains.

In a series of tweets under  #PoliticsinFood, Siddaramaiah said that the food kits meant for the migrant labourers and workers is being distributed by the BJP leaders as per their whims and fancies.

“The food kits have photos of BJP leaders labelled on them. These kits are distributed in areas where the BJP has stronghold. Why politics is being played over hunger?”  he questioned.

Continuing his tirade, the former CM said that the programme that was inaugurated by Minister for Labour was snatched away from the Department of Labour and handed over to the BBMP after the CM was pressurised to do so by some of the BBMP members and the BJP legislators.

“Was this done to campaign for the BJP using government funds,” he further questioned.

Demanding for the list of beneficiaries under this programmes, Siddaramiah said that there are complaints that some BJP workers are distributing the food kits and hampers on the basis of caste and religion.

“There are allegations that volunteers are isolating the workers who have come from other state on the grounds that they are all Bangladeshis. Does pangs of stomach know religion, caste or nationality,” he asked.

Further alleging that the food distribution has been handed over to the RSS in certain places by the BJP government, Siddaramaiah said that in this pretext a romping Rs 8,000 cr may be diverted to BJP’s mother organisation.

Siddaramaiah said that CM BS Yediyurappa must make sure that the labourers are fed through Indira Canteen and the responsibility of feeding the labourers that has been given to organisations that are in no way connected to the labourers should be withdrawn.