Sterlite tried to bribe: Union minister

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.

Notably, 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.

Commenting on the Cauvery imbroglio, the minister again blamed both the Dravidian majors. Tamil outfits and film directors fail to understand the politics played by DMK and the AIADMK and are protesting against the Centre for the Cauvery fiasco, he alleged.

The minister recently made an allegation that the politicians in the state took money from Sterlite. Last week, district collector N. Venkatesh warned action against Sterlite protesters if the public peace was disturbed. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control had also recently suspended the renewal application of Sterlite plant.