Sterlite tried to bribe me: Pon Radhakrishnan

Chennai: Beleaguered Sterlite has a new thunderbolt striking it. This time it is the union minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan alleging that the copper smelting giant made an attempt to bribe him.

“During 1998 Lok sabha polls, I rejected the election funds offered by Sterlite industries. I also rejected the ‘deals’, which came to me from the company to ensure their operations in Tamil Nadu,” the senior local BJP leader said while addressing a function held at the Tuticorin port on Monday. This has triggered another debate on the company that is already facing protests from the public for more than two months seeking its permanent closure.

“In 1996, I observed a fast against Sterlite but there was no support for me from the public as they felt that the factory would give them job opportunities, but now the same public are protesting against the company”, the minister said blaming both the DMK and the AIADMK for allowing Sterlite to be set up their plant in Tamil Nadu.

“Similarly I was the first person to protest against the Kodankulam project. In future, the public should decide on what projects they want and they should protest against any anti environment project during the early stage,” the minister said.