BHUBANESWAR - Manoj Pradhan, a prime accused in communal violence in Kandhamal last year and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, Monday took oath as a member of the new assembly after he was granted bail by a court.

He was the only one among the 147 legislators who was yet to take oath.

Pradhan, who represents G Udaygiri constituency in Kandhamal district, was arrested and jailed in October on several charges including those of murder, riot and arson.

He fought the assembly election in April from jail and was elected, defeating senior Congress leader Ajaynti Pradhan.

For his oath-taking, the Orissa High Court Saturday granted him 15-day bail and he was released Sunday.

Pradhan had earlier approached the Phulbani court for bail but his plea was rejected.

Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23 last year.

More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, who held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing.

Although no communal violence has been reported from the region since October last year, nearly 1,200 people are still living in three government-run relief camps.