DHAKA, Feb 18, 2024 (BSS) - Textiles and Jute Minister and Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak today said that BNP leaders should boycott convicted fugitive and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, if they want to survive in politics.

"Staying in London, the convicted fugitive and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is destroying the politics of BNP. BNP leaders must reject him (Tarique Rahman) to keep their politics alive," he said.

The minister was talking to the journalists after attending the freshmen reception programme of diploma-in-engineering students of Shyamoli Ideal Polytechnic Institute in the city's Mohammadpur area as the chief guest.

Criticizing the statement given by BNP leader Moyeen Khan, Nanak said this BNP leader wants to cover up his party's criminal-activities.

The veteran AL leader advised BNP leaders to find out the causes which may destroy BNP.

"If they fail to find out (those causes), the destruction (of BNP) is inevitable," he added.

Referring to the topic of boycotting Tarique Rahman, he urged BNP leaders including Moyeen Khan to hold meetings among them (BNP leaders) to find out the possible causes behind the party-destruction.

He also assured BNP leaders that AL has no headache to remove any political party in the country especially BNP as AL needs a strong political party in Bangladesh for maintaining democracy.

Addressing the fresh students in the programme, Nanak said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already established Digital Bangladesh and now she has set a goal to establish Smart Bangladesh.

The minister said that students should play a leading role as skilled persons in building Smart Bangladesh through the implementation of "Vision 2041" under the leadership of Prime Minister and pro-people leader Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh Technical Education Board Chairman Md Ali Akbar Khan, Dhaka North City unit of AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman and Shyamoli Ideal Polytechnic Institute Principal M A Sattar, among others, were present in the programme.