Dhaka: Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday urged BNP to reconsider its decision to sit out the Upazila Parishad election.

“I don’t know whether it is their (BNP’s) final decision,” he said at his office in Dhaka, when journalists sought his reaction about BNP’s decision to boycott polls.

The Upazila Parishad election is scheduled to be held in March, reports the UNB.

“Their participation would have made the polls competitive,” Quader said. “The government will provide all assistance to organise an acceptable election. But it (polls participation) is up to them (BNP).”

Responding to a question about holding Parliament session without BNP, he said the party was keeping itself away. “Do we have to force them if they don’t come?” he asked.

The ruling Awami League formed the government for a third consecutive time after winning the December 30 election with an overwhelming majority.

Queader appreciated the decision of two Gono Forum MPs to take oath, saying that it was an affirmative step.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had invited all political parties on February 2 to a garden party where discussions can take place. He criticised Oikyafront for declining to attend the event.

“We had dialogues with them twice before the polls. There could have been talks had they decided to come but their reaction was an outburst of negative political practice,” Quader added.