Amid loggerheads with the Centre over the latter’s alleged refusal to provide rice for a free distribution scheme, the Congress government in Karnataka on Friday called for a protest to condemn the move. Addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Food Corporation India (FCI), which had earlier promised to supply the rice, has now written a letter refusing it. “This is an example of the practising of hate politics by the Central government. BJP has snatched the food of the poor. BJP is a party which indulges in betrayal of poor masses,” he said. “The FCI had promised to provide 2.28 lakh metric tonnes of rice. They have gone back on their words.