A BJP leader has courted controversy by raking up the ‘native-versus-outsiders’ issue. Prakash Sesharaghavachar, who held the post of state BJP media advisor, targeted the Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) and a host of other such initiatives for 'destroying' Bengaluru and referred to RK Misra as a ‘phoney activist’.Misra, a well-known leader who has been focusing on improving governance through a transformational change in the current political system of India, was adjudged the winner of the prestigious ‘Lead India’ campaign in 2008.Sesharaghavachar posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, “Who is this RK Misra to decide Bengaluru's future? These outsiders forming various groups in different names are trying to dominate over the original Bengalureans. RK Misra, we don't need your guidance. Go back to your state and help them with your gyaan. You leave Bengaluru for Bengalureans. Those who are settled in Bengaluru after IT-BT revolution are trying to dictate their agenda on us. We should resist this with all our might. These phoney activists should be shown their place once and for all.”When this correspondent called up Sesharaghavachar, he tried to downplay the incident. He then hurriedly tried to disassociate his comment saying that it was his individual comment and had nothing to do with BJP’s stand.However, he didn’t stop his tirade. “I question the stand taken by Misra in the media after he said that the (civic) poll without restructuring BBMP is injustice to the citizens. Who is he to talk about Bengaluru’s restructuring? In fact, these people have spoilt the city by commencing projects like TenderSURE because of which every citizen is suffering. Who is he to say things about this city? Why is he trying to decide about Bengaluru?” He said the views he had posted on Facebook was only his Facebook stand.He said BJP had always opposed the restructuring of BBMP and the party’s legislators have taken a stand before the restructuring committee.When he was asked as to why he was targeting BPAC and RK Misra, he said, “I have no rights to say to anyone that they should not stay in Bangalore. The city belongs to everyone and every foreigner and a visitor has their rights to stay.”Misra chose not to respond to the comments. But he still said: “You can find such people everywhere and I feel that it is not worth responding. I want to tell them that Bengaluru doesn’t belong to anybody. In this country we don’t require any one’s permission to stay.”However, Sesharaghav-achar’s comments have come under severe criticism on Facebook by shocked FB users.Neha Mehta Kothari reacted on FB: “Wow!! Unbelievable to hear these from people in political parties! Wow! Hats off to you for making us ‘outsiders’ who have been here since birth feeling ashamed! This is worse ideology than Britishers! I have always thought Bengaluru is the world’s most accommodative n progressive place. I’ve loved this place more than my life and you say non-Bengalureans are ‘outsiders’!”Sandeep M Ratkal said, “Free movement within India is recognised as our fundamental right. I stayed in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi and now my home state is Bengaluru. As long we pay requisite state taxes, we all have the same voice.”