Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Thursday alleged that the World Bank’s statement on conditions binding the revival of Padma Bridge funding proves that the government was “lying” to the people.

“The statement created a shameful situation for the country. The World Bank said that it would rethink the Padma Bridge project if the conditions imposed by the lender are fulfilled. But our finance minister and senior government officials—even the Prime Minister—said that the World Bank has agreed to finance the Padma Bridge project,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary-general of the party, said.

Fakhrul came up with the reaction while talking to journalists at party’s central office at Nayapaltan in the capital.

In a fresh statement Wednesday, the WB clarified its stance on the project and said, “Local media reports have quoted senior Bangladeshi government officials misrepresenting the World Bank’s position over the Padma Bridge project.”

Fakhrul said, “The government has committed a serious misconduct by distorting the Word Bank statement and it (government) should step down for committing such misconduct.”

The BNP spokesperson also said, “The nation is ashamed as the World Bank expressed its concern over corruption in Padma Bridge construction.”

He went on: “From World Bank’s statement it is clear that it cannot trust the government.”

Criticising the government decision to increase train fare, Fakhrul said, “Railway is always a means of easy communications for the common people. People’s life will be pushed into extreme sufferings through the fare hike of train ticket,” he said.

Fakhrul also alleged that the government has no headache in improving the life-style of the common people.

“They (government) are engaged in corruption and looting public money and also out to eliminate the opposition forces from the country,” he said.

Replying to a query whether the party will announce any programme to protest the fare hike, Fakhrul said, “We do not want to announce any programme which may create sufferings the the people.”

Regarding the Hallmark scam, the BNP leader said the government has failed to arrest a single person after the plundering of a huge amount of money from Sonali Bank.

“In such a situation, how the depositors will deposit their money with the banks,” he questioned.

The BNP leader alleged the government is expert in corruption but completely failure in running the country.

Fakhrul reaffirmed that their movement would be continued till their demand for restoration of the caretaker government system was fulfilled.

News: The Daily Star/Bangladesh/28-Sep-12