Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday suggested Prime Minister’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy to seek an explanation from the World Bank (WB) over Padma Bridge project graft as a Canadian court dismissed such allegations.

“The Prime Minister’s son has said those people -- from Dr Yunus to opposition parties -- shouted bringing the corruption allegation to seek apology following the Canadian court’s verdict. It’s the World Bank that had brought the allegation. Why are you not seeking an explanation from them?” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, “We’re seeing they (WB) have not backed off from their stance. As journalists contacted them, they said they’re still on their previous position. That means they didn’t turn away from their position.”

Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at National Press Club, reports news agency UNB.

In June 2012, the World Bank had cancelled its $1.2 billion fund commitment for the construction of Padma Bridge bringing graft allegations, forcing the government to implement the project with its own fund.

However, a Canadian court on Friday dismissed the graft allegation in the Padma Bridge project and acquitted three business executives of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.

After the court verdict, Prime Minister’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy claimed that the World Bank withdrew its Padma Bridge fund bringing a false graft allegation to discredit the Awami League government.

“Those people who took sides against Bangladesh are unpatriotic. They also owe Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Awami League Government and all the people whose reputation they hurt an apology. Indeed they owe Bangladesh an apology,” he said through a post on his verified Facebook page.

Rizvi said corruption is the current government’s main motto as the corrupt people are very close to it.

“Then Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain had to resign following the corruption allegation in the project while Bridges Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan landed in jail. Later, he was made Industries Secretary. It means, corruption is this government’s ideal and manifesto,” he observed.

Rizvi alleged that the government has formulated an ‘indemnity act’ to steal public money from the power sector. “There’re also corruption allegations against some ministers,” he added.