New Delhi: Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ayodhya dispute, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a secular leader saying 'he doesn't get influenced by remarks made by small-time leaders'.
Ansari's remark came in the wake of several BJP leaders and Hindu-right wing groups claiming that Ram Mandir will be built in the present government's tenure only.
92-year-old Ansari, while referring the disharmonious statements on Ayodhya issue, said that 'leaders making such comments are mad and they are unaware about the law of this country'.
"Modi is giving stable and strong government. This government can't be sidelined easily. Modi is a secular leader and he doesn't get influenced by the remarks made by small-time leaders. They are mad, they don't know the strength of this country. We have a very powerful law," he said.
Ansari had in past said that he was ready to talk with the Prime Minister for peaceful negotiations in the matter only if he promises that he will ensure punishment to those accused of Babri Masjid demolition.
Yesterday, BJP MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj said that Ram Mandir will be constructed in Ayodhya during the present government's regime. "Ram Mandir will definitely be built during our tenure. If not today then tomorrow but it will made. We have only completed one year of our tenure, there are still 4 years remaining," he said.
Another BJP MP from Rajya Sabha Vinay Katiyar last week said that the issue of Ram Mandir cannot be ignored by any government and this is not a hard issue to deal with for the Narendra Modi government.
Last month, BJP chief Amit Shah had said that the core issues including building a Ram temple in Ayodhya cannot be addressed as the party needs 370 seats in Parliament, according to the Constitution.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also said that government would not be able to enact a law on this issue since the NDA is in minority in Rajya Sabha.
