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Abul Hossain's resignation proves graft: BNP
The World Bank wouldn't have cancelled the loan had he quit earlier, says the party's spokesman
Published : 23 July 2012, 09:13 AM
Updated : 23 July 2012, 09:13 AM
Dhaka, Jul 23 (bdnews24.com)—The BNP has said the resignation of Information and Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain as a minister, 10 months after allegations of corruption in the Padma bridge project surfaced, proves corruption in the project.
"It (the resignation) proves corruption in the Padma bridge project," party's Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told bdnews24.com in his instant reaction to resignation of the former Communications Minister.
He said the loan agreement would not have been cancelled had he (Syed Abul Hossain) quit as soon as the allegation of corruptions were raised.
Earlier in the day, the beleaguered minister, who was later given charge of the ICT ministry, tendered his resignation letter, highly placed sources told bdnews24.com.
Fakhrul alleged that 'many others' were involved in the corruption in the project.
"Please wait, many things will eventually surface," he added.
The World Bank (WB) cancelled its $ 1.2-billion fund for the $2.9-billion project on Jun 29. It claimed the government did not follow its suggestion to send high-ranking officials linked to the alleged corruption on leave until the investigations were complete.
Abul Hossain was the Communication Minister that time.
The minister, however, never admitted that he was involved in any corruption while leading the Communications Ministry until Sept last year.
But he was transferred from the Communications Ministry amid growing calls from inside the ruling coalition and the opposition.
"The government should launch a complete and neutral investigation into the alleged corruption in the Padma bridge project," he said.
He urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment to those involved in the graft.
"If this government does not investigate this (WB alleged corruption), the BNP will do it once it comes to power," the BNP spokesman said.
bdnews24.com/sm/shs/ssr/nir/2109h
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