Bhubaneswar, Apr. 11 : A case has been registered against the BJP candidate for Orissa''s Kandhamal seat, Ashok Sahu, for allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech at a public meeting.

"We have registered a case against Sahu. The matter is under investigation," District Superintendent of Police, S. Praveen Kumar, said.

On April 5, Sahu reportedly made a hate speech at a public meeting at Raikia town, in which he accused the church of indulging in conversion.

He is believed to have claimed that Congress MP Radhakanta Nayak was using foreign money to spread Christianity.

Kandhamal District witnessed the killing of 38 Christians and the burning of several houses and churches during communal violence last year following the murder of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked. Thousands of people are still living in government relief camps.

Sahu, who has a VHP background, had delivered provocative speeches during the communal violence last year.

The BJP has also given ticket to Manoj Pradhan, another accused of last year's Kandhmal riots, for the assembly election from G. Udayagiri constituency in the district.

Pradhan is still languishing in jail. (ANI)