NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chief Minister of southern Indian state of Karnataka H D Kumaraswamy has landed in a controversy after being caught on tape telling someone to "mercilessly kill" to avenge the killing of a local leader of his party, the Janata Dal (Secular).

"He (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," Kumaraswamy is heard telling (most likely a senior police officer) in a video clip recorded by local journalists.

Kumaraswamy became the chief minister of Karnataka in May this year after forming an alliance with the Congress party.

The local leader of Janata Dal (Secular), Thoppanahalli Prakash, was killed on Monday on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Maddur by a gang of unidentified men.

Party insiders said the chief minister was shocked to hear about the killing of his party loyalist.

The video recording of Kumaraswamy was circulated widely, evoking a sharp criticism.

However, the chief minister's office called his remarks an "emotional" reaction.

"I have instructed the police to take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents are not recurring," a statement issued by chief minister's office said.

"The word used during the information about this case is an emotional response, not an order. He (Chief Minister Kumaraswamy) has made it clear that he does not need special meaning," the statement said. Enditem

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