Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the BNP has to participate in next general election for the sake of their existence.
The Road Transport and Bridges Minister made the remarks while visiting the Jessore-Khulna Highway on Tuesday morning.
"BNP cannot avoid the polls as it may further squeeze the party's position in the political landscape," the minister said.
The ruling party leader claimed they have asked BNP several times to take part in the elections.
"We did not want to conduct any polls without competition. But they have pushed it to an adverse condition", he said.
Obaidul Quader also said BNP leaders had created a critical condition by stepping back at the last moment from participating in the January 5 polls.
"But legally the polls cannot wait for anyone, there is no scope to disrupt the journey of democracy," the AL general secretary added.