DHAKA, Bangladesh – The government is asking the World Bank to reconsider funding the Padma Bridge project after the resignation of former communication minister Syed Abul Hossain, AFP reported Thursday (July 26th).

The bank cancelled a $1.2 billion loan in June saying "high-level" corruption had tainted the mega-project to construct a 6.2km road and rail bridge connecting southwestern Bangladesh to the rest of the country.

"Though no evidence has been found... former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain has resigned from the cabinet to help the probe, though he claimed his innocence," Finance Minister A.M.A Muhith said late Wednesday.

"We're still hopeful that the World Bank will reconsider the matter," he said.

Hossain, who resigned late Monday, was alleged to have sought bribe from a Canadian firm bidding for part of the bridge project.

The World Bank recently said it was "technically possible" to reinstate the loan, but only if its demands were fully met to investigate and remove tainted officials.