"KILL MERCILESSLY": KARNATAKA CM HD KUMARASWAMY CAUGHT ON TAPE GIVING ORDER

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has landed in a controversy after being caught on tape telling someone - most likely a senior police official - to "mercilessly kill" to avenge the killing of a local leader of his party, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS).

In video footage shot by local journalists, the Karnataka CM is heard questioning 'who killed' (Prakash), the local party leader and then instructing to 'kill the miscreant mercilessly'.

"He (H Prakash) was a good man. I don't know who killed him in this way. Kill the miscreant mercilessly in a shootout. There would be no problem," he is heard saying in video clips.

As the tape went viral, many came out against the Karnataka CM. However, Kumaraswamy defended his statement, calling it an "emotional" reaction.

"It was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. They (the killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person...this is how they are misusing bail," Kumaraswamy said.

"CM HDK orders for anarchy & lawlessness by giving direct order of shootout on camera!! A clear case of provoking& instigating the system Earlier he had called to create anarchy by openly calling for violence. Complete chaos & dictatorship in Karnataka Highly condemnable act!!" said Shobha Karandlaje, a BJP MP.