Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has dismissed media reports where he was quoted as purportedly giving an order to kill someone “mercilessly”. Facing criticism and backlash, Kumaraswamy in a fresh statement has claimed that the “kill mercilessly” order was not his.

“It (kill assailants mercilessly) was not my order,” Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI.

He said he was “emotional at that moment”.

“They (killers) are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person (JDS leader Prakash). This is how they are misusing their bail,” he was quotes as saying by ANI.

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY

HD Kumaraswamy triggered a controversy after he was caught on tape instructing someone over phone to “mercilessly” avenge the killing of a local leader of his party-the Janata Dal (Secular).

Karnataka’s intelligence department had briefed Kumaraswamy about the murder of JD(S) leader when he landed in Vijayapura district. During the call, he reportedly told a senior police officer to shoot down the killers mercilessly.

“I am disappointed with this [murder]. He was a nice man. I don’t know who they are but shoot them mercilessly. Such people do such activities. I don’t care,” he was heard as saying.