Coimbatore : Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan today said the BJP was the first to oppose the Sterlite unit in Thoothukudi, but people there never supported the party.

About the firing on agitators which claimed over 10 lives, Radhakrishnan told reporters at the airport here that he had not met anyone so far and was returning from a foreign trip. He was on way to Pollachi to attend a party meeting.

BJP was the first to oppose the factory and the people in that area never supported it. He said he had been jailed for three days for observing fast against the Sterlite unit.

If people had supported BJP then, the firing and resultant deaths would not have occured, he said, adding that the party would decide who to depute to Thoothukudi for getting a first hand report.

“Those who have given permission to start the Sterlite unit, including DMK and some of its allies, are responsible for the firing and are now enacting a drama,” Radhakrishnan said.

On the reported use of sophisticated weapons in the firing, the Minister said he had not received details about the incident and it was not fair to talk about that. A detailed inquiry should be held, he added.