Corruption has decreased in last five years, claims Tarique
He also said that only his party, party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the four-party alliance can curb corruption.
Tarique was addressing an Iftar party discussion organised by Ziaur Rahman Foundation at the LGED auditorium in the city. State Minister for Labour and Employment Amanullah Aman and State Minister for Education Ehsanul Haque Milon were also present.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Quoting a report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Tarique said the cost of corruption was Tk 17,192 crore in 2000, Tk 11,296 crore in 2001, Tk 4,391 crore in 2002, Tk 789 crore in 2003, Tk 413 crore in 2004 and Tk 426 crore in 2005.
He said the ruling party could not take adequate steps to curb corruption as it had to spend more time tackling non-political programmes of the opposition.
On power crisis, he said, "Maybe we could not take enough measures to develop the power sector."
Other BNP leaders and ministers also spoke at the programme and made indecent remarks on opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.