RSS Leader Chandravat Booked, Sacked Over Rs 1 Crore 'Bounty' on Kerala CM

New Delhi: The RSS on Friday sacked its functionary Kundan Chandravat who had sparked a controversy by announcing a Rs 1 crore ‘bounty’ on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Late on Friday, Chandravat was also booked for on charges of inciting violence under Section 505 of the IPC.

The developments came a day after Chandravat retracted his controversial statement.

"I was pained on the issue of murders of Swayamsevaks and therefore made an emotional statement. I retract it (statement) and express my regret," Chandravat said in a statement late on Thursday.

His speech had sparked an uproar, drawing condemnation from the RSS, the CPI(M) and the Congress.

In a video, which went viral, Chandravat is purportedly seen saying that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is behind the killing of RSS workers there and he will pay Rs 1 crore to anyone who beheads him.

"The RSS strongly condemns such statement. The Sangh does not believe in violence. But we will continue to protest against attacks on our workers in Kerala in a democratic and peaceful manner," RSS national 'Sah Prachar Pramukh' (Joint Chief of Publicity) J Nandakumar had told PTI in Delhi.

Vijayan, however, dismissed the threat to his life, saying such calls would not prevent him from travelling around, while Kerala's ruling CPI(M) and Congress sought the arrest of Chandravat for his outrageous comments.

Kerala has been witnessing a series of political clashes between the cadres of BJP-RSS and the ruling CPI(M),especially in the northern Kannur district from where Vijayan hails, for a long time. Both parties have blamed each other for the cycle of violence which has claimed several lives on both sides.