BJP's Kandhamal candidate gives slip to cops, plans rally

After giving a slip to police trying to nab him for his alleged hate speech, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Orissa's riot-torn Kandhamal Ashok Sahu announced he will hold an election rally in Phulbani on Monday.

After giving a slip to police trying to nab him for his alleged hate speech, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Orissa's riot-torn Kandhamal Ashok Sahu announced he will hold an election rally in Phulbani on Monday.

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Stating that he was planning to hold a massive rally at Phulbani, headquarters of Kandhamal district today, a retired IPS officer said, "Let the police arrest me from the rally if they want. But they should be responsible for the consequence if people react."

"The police held some of my friends in Odagaon area of Nayagarh district last night and unnecessarily detained them thinking that they will be able to arrest me with the help of my supporters," Sahu said over phone.

Sahu said the police followed their vehicles on the road between Daspalla and Odagaon and held occupants of a jeep after stopping it. The police personnel were under the impression that Sahu was among them.

"But the cops were mistaken. They took my supporters to Odagaon police station and sought their help to capture me," he said, adding that efforts were on to obtain an anticipatory bail from Orissa High Court.

Police raided some places at Raikia and Phulbani yesterday, but failed to trace Sahu.