New Delhi, October 29: Amid the graft allegations levelled against CBI chief Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana, a fresh accusation has now been levelled against the agency's interim director Nageswara Rao.

A senior Odisha CPM leader, Ali Kishore Patnaik, has accused Rao of delivering a hate speech nearly two decades ago. The alleged communal remarks were issued by Rao while addressing an event hosted by an NGO called The Humane. CBI vs CBI Row: Alok Verma Remains Director, Rakesh Asthana Special Director; 'Nageswara Rao Given Only Interim Charge'.

The incident dates back to December 10, 1998, when Rao was the Vice Chairman of the Behrampore Development Authority -- designated to develop the region of Berhampur in Ganjam district.

During his speech, alleged Patnaik, Rao made communal rants which were objected to by some of the listeners. The officer said that "Islamists, Christians and Marxists are the main threat to human rights".

Patnaik had filed a public interest litigation in the Odisha High Court in 1999 against Rao, accusing him of stoking communal tensions by targeting the minorities in his speech. The petition could not be pursued by him as Rao was shortly transferred to another state, the CPM leader claimed.

Patnaik said he would now be reopening the case as a person "who has such communal views" is heading the nation's premiere investigation agency.

Not only did Rao targeted the minorities and communists, he also made a contentious remark against the forefathers of the nation, Pattnaik claimed. "He said those who framed the Indian Constitution were pro-minority," the complainant alleged.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 12:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).