Abul’s resignation proves govt’s graft: BNP

Terming the removal of Minister Syed Abul Hossain a delayed action, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said it proves that the government committed corruption in the Padma Bridge project.

“This resignation has proved the government’s involvement in the Padma Bridge project graft,” Fakhrul told reporters in his instant reaction.

Abul Hossain, who was transferred to Information and Communication Ministry on December 5 from Communications Ministry after the World Bank charged him with corruption in the bridge project, stood aside after a lingering pandemonium on Monday.

Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Iftar party hosted for political leaders at the Parliament’s LD Hall, Fakhrul said had the government taken the action in time the WB would not have scraped the deal.

He said the removal of Abul Hossain from the cabinet got delayed as the close relatives of the Prime Minister were involved in the corruption.

“Though it’s late, the government has started taking water making it muddy. Not only Abul Hossain but also many government high-ups were involved in the project graft. Wait and see, many things will come out,” the BNP spokesman said.

He, however, hoped that the World Bank would review its decision of scrapping the funding for the Padma Bridge project following Abul’s resignation.

The BNP leader demanded the government launch a fair investigation into the graft allegation and ensure exemplary punishment of those to be found involved in the project graft.

He also threatened that if the government fails to take action against those involved in the bridge graft, BNP will bring them to justice when it will come to power.

Earlier, on June 30, the World Bank annulled a $1.2 billion credit for Padma Bridge project, saying it has "credible evidence" of a high-level of corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials.

The global lender urged the government to send those involved in the alleged corruption of the bridge project, including Abul Hossain, on leave until they come out clean.