FROM NEW YORK: Over the corruption allegation in Padma Bridge project, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that her government won’t take the blame as there did not do so.

The premier came up with the claim while addressing a program, hosted by expatriate politician, at 9:45am Saturday (local time) in New York.

Sheikh Hasina said, “I challenged earlier that none can prove corruption in Padma Bridge project and the result became same. We will build the bridge with our own finance.”

“Many tried to prove us corrupts, but failed. I yield before no one, but Allah,” she added.

The Prime Minister is currently staying at New York to attend 69th General Assembly of United Nations.

Criticizing BNP-Jamaat, Sheikh Hasina said, “This alliance tried to foil January 5 national election triggering violence and killing people, but they failed.”

We got independence through guerrilla fights in 1971 and we can save our country always, she added.

Mentioning emphasis given on education to build the country, the premier again said, “Children have to be educated to lessen sorrows of parents. We have given priority to IT education. Youths can earn sitting at home through outsourcing.”

She also mentioned about free books distribution and stipend to encourage for being educated.

The government is working to take all people out of vicious cycle of poverty and to ensure home for all, the premier added.

Over a demand to start Dhaka-New York flight, she answered, “We are trying.”

With US Awami League president Dr Siddiqur Rahman in chair, the program was attended, among others, by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Tele Communication Minister Abdul Latif Siddique, Food Minister Quamrul Islam, Dipu Moni and Shahriar Alam.

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BDST: 1233 HRS, SEP 28, 2014