Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and everyone else who supported the World Bank's corruption allegations over the Padma Bridge project should apologise to the nation unconditionally, said Awami League leader Hasan Mahmud on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in the party's Dhanmondi office in the morning, the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling party also said the debacle was the result of a “coordinated conspiracy.”
“The way BNP chief Khaleda Zia and Jamaat leaders raised their voices supporting the corruption allegations proved that the World Bank's decision to withdraw funds from the [Padma Bridge] project was an outcome of a well-planned conspiracy,” he told reporters.
“Now that they have been proven false, the TIB, Yunus and anyone else who so loudly voiced their support for those illogical allegations should seek unconditional apology to the country now.”
On Sunday during a parliament session, other ruling party leaders, lawmakers and ministers also demanded apology from the World Bank following a verdict issued by a Canadian court that dismissed the corruption allegations raised by the World Bank regarding the Padma Bridge project.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed called “those involved in the conspiracy” the nation’s enemies.
Earlier in his office, he pointed fingers at Yunus, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and a number of intellectuals of the country, saying they were behind the World Bank's decision to withdraw the funds.
Meanwhile, the World Bank issued a statement on Monday stating that it took allegations of fraud and corruption seriously.
“Once a World Bank investigation is concluded, we share findings with national authorities to determine whether or not there was a violation of national legislations,” the press release said.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
