Dhaka: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday warned that BNP may become irrelevant in politics if it repeats the mistake by boycotting the next polls as it did in the 10th parliamentary elections.

“BNP has turned into a weaker and disorderly party as a consequence for the mistake it made by boycotting the last election. There’s a risk for the party to be irrelevant in politics in the future if it repeats it again. I don’t believe they (BNP) will take this risk,” he said.

Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat at the Secretariat.

Though a negative attitude has developed in BNP, the minister said, “We hope this time BNP will participate in the next general election.”

He said BNP leaders are making reckless comments over the new Election Commission out of their frustration over their party’s shocking condition.

“As the ruling party general secretary, I can assure you all that the next election will be free, fair and inclusive, and the government will provide all-out support to the Commission to hold the election independently,” Quader.

During their party’s talks with President Abdul Hamid over the EC formation, the ruling party general secretary said they placed a proposal to him on the election-time government.

Giving a short description about the nature of the election-time administration, he said, “The election-time government won’t take any policymaking decision and carry out development activities. It’ll only do the daily routine work.”

About the meeting with the US Ambassador, Quader said they have discussed various issues relating to the EC, next election and Rohingya problem.

About the Rohingya issue, he said it is not possible for Bangladesh alone to give them finical support and arrange their food and accommodation. “We’ve sought support from the United Nations and the international community in this regard on humanitarian ground.”