Rae Bareli, April 21: Accusing the Congress of pursuing politics of dynasty and conspiracy, BJP President Amit Shah demanded on Saturday that its President, Rahul Gandhi, apologise for the "saffron terror" remarks against his party.

Addressing a public meeting in the constituency of Sonia Gandhi, he said that the days of 'vanshvaad' (dynastic politics) were over and that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was ushering in 'vikasvaad' (development) in the country. 

Shah charged that Rahul tried to bring bad repute to Hindu culture by coining and using terms like 'bhagwa aatankvaad' (saffron terror).

"However dirty the Congress plotted, the courts have brought out the truth," he said, adding even Swami Aseemanand has been discharged of charges of plotting a bomb blast, in a court. 

He also sought an unqualified apology from Rahul on his "diatribe" against the Hindus. "Rahul Gandhi must say sorry to the nation," he added.

The BJP President also claimed that the writing on the wall was loud and clear that in 2019, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will be formed yet again under the leadership of Modi. 

Everyone, even the kids, know the good work the government at the Centre has done in the past four years, he said while announcing that Rae Bareli would be developed as a model region and usher in development and prosperity in the region.

He also lauded the work done by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh led by Yogi Adityanath and said it was their commitment to see that in the next five years, Uttar Pradesh becomes a progressive and front ranking state in the country. 

Earlier, there was commotion at the rally venue as a fire broke out near the media lounge. The fire had been sparked by a short circuit in the audio system, an official said. The event was disturbed due to the incident for over an hour.

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New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, and said India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation.

Separately, the speaker called on the new Bangladesh prime minister and conveyed the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also handed over an invitation from Prime Minister Modi to Rahman to visit India, officials said here.

“Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation,” Birla posted on X.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said in a post on X, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveys his greetings to India and PM Narendra Modi to the visiting India Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at a courtesy meet following the swearing-in of the new government.

“Speaker Birla conveyed wishes and an invitation to India. Both leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India, pursuing a people-centric menu of cooperation.”

Birla also met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and other leaders on the sidelines of the event.

Led by Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to power with a two-thirds majority with 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats in the polls held on February 12, results for which were declared on February 13.

The Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, registered its best-ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) secured the third-highest number of seats, six, and 3.05 per cent votes.

Bangladesh had invited Narendra Modi to the ceremony, but the prime minister could not attend the event as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday.

On reaching Dhaka, Birla said the swearing-in of Rahman was an important moment that would strengthen people-to-people relations and shared democratic values between the two neighbours.

“Honoured to be in Dhaka representing India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government led by Tarique Rahman as the prime minister. It's an important moment that will strengthen people-to-people ties and shared democratic values between our two nations,” Birla said.

Birla was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials.