Dhaka: Turning down the ruling party’s call for rendering apology for raising graft allegation in Padma Bridge project, Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that now unbridled corruption is everywhere in the country.

‘Why does BNP apologise? When the World Bank cancelled its agreement bringing the corruption allegation, BNP, as a responsible party, couldn’t sit idle. We surely reacted to it saying there was corruption’, he said, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, ‘Corruption is not only there in Padma Bridge, but the wave of corruption is everywhere in the country. Corruption has reached its peak at every sector.’

Fakhrul talked over the issue as journalists drew his attention to the ruling party lawmakers’ remarks at Parliament demanding apology from BNP and others who raised the allegation as it is now proved false in court.

In June 2012, the World Bank (WB) 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.

About the court verdict, Fakhrul said, ‘It’s a matter of Canadian judiciary what their court has given verdict over the Padma Bridge project graft allegation and those who now discuss the issue, they’re wasting time.’

He said public money is being looted from different sectors and development projects through corruption.

‘Money from banks, flyovers, stock markets and Bangladesh Bank are being looted. What has happened to Bangladesh Biman a few days back? What’s happening at Water Devolvement Board, BPD and in the name of quick rental power plants? Which place is left where there’s no corruption?’ Fakhrul questioned.

Asked whether their party thinks there is corruption in Padma Bridge project now, The World Bank retreated from the project bringing the graft allegation. Now only Allah can say what’s happening there.’

The BNP leader also said the WB did not move back from its previous position despite the Canadian Court’s verdict dismissing the corruption allegation.