Cane Development minister Suresh Rana stoked a controversy by having a dinner at Dalit’s house in Aligarh where the food was brought from a posh hotel of the city.

Earlier this month, the ruling BJP launched a ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ under which BJP ministers and legislators were asked to spend at least a night in Dalit-dominated village and have dinner at a Dalit’s house where food was cooked by the inmates.

Rana spent a night in dalit-dominated Lohagadh village of Aligarh on Monday but courted controversy when it surfaced that the food served to him brought from a post city hotel instead of being prepared by the family.

The spread included matar paneer, dal makhni, tandori roti, mix-veg sabzi and a dessert. Bottles of mineral water were also served to the minister and other BJP leaders accompanying Rana to the Dalit’s home.

Host Rajnish Kumar claimed that he was unaware that the minister would visit his home and have dinner at his residence. He told reporters that he was rather surprised to see the minister. He said that he was told to sit with the minister while the food, which was brought from outside, was served.

“It was pre-planned thing and merely a photo-opportunity for the minister,” Kumar said.

When Rana was quizzed as to why did he have food from outside, he said that the food was cooked at the Dalit’s home but since many BJP leaders and officers were to dine, it was decided that the family should not be burdened.

“I ate a mix of food coked by the Dalit family and that brought from outside,” the minister said.

It is also alleged that Rana slept in a government building where local officials provided coolers and mattresses so that the minister could have a confortable stay.

The BJP’s campaign is being seen as a part of party’s massive outreach to rural poor, especially Dalits, as it gears up for a string of Assembly elections leading to Lok Sabha polls due next year.

Meanwhile, Rural Engineering Services (RES) mMinister Rajendra Pratap Singh alias Moti Singh also told reporters last week that Dalits should feel honoured as ministers and legislators were having food at their homes.