Coimbatore : BJP National secretary, H Raja and Coir Board Chairman and former party MP, C P Radhakrishnan were among nearly 700 among those arrested Thursday for defying a ban and paying floral tributes to those laid their lives in the 1998 serial blasts which claimed 52 lives on this day.

Over 1,000 workers from various HIndu outfits, including BJP, VHP, Hindu Munnani, Bajrang Dal had gathered at R S Puran in the city, where the first blast occured near the venue where BJP leader L K Advani was scheduled to address a election rally around 4 PM on February 14.

There was tight security cover in and around the area and all the shops and commercial establishments in the vicinity downed their shutters for fear of trouble, as police did not not grant permission for the function.

While talking to press persons, Raja condemned the murder of Ramalingam who fought against the religious conversion in Kubakonam.

In view of this, a situation has arisen to root out the Islamic terrorism from the soil of Tamil Nadu and to bring in a legislation banning religious conversion, Raja said and also demanded a ban of Popular Front of India (PFI).

When asked about the dharna by Puducherry chief minister and his ministers, he said this was being done for the fear of losing the Union territory from Congress in the elections.

Commenting on opposition alliance, Raja said that it was a combination of corrupt people and there was the need for a strong alliance to defeat such an alliance.

Police arrested Raja and Radhakrishnan and scores of others for paying floral tributes to those departed souls, as there was no permission given.