New Delhi: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Hansraj Bhardwaj on Thursday took a swipe at his own party, saying it will not rise again.

“People are not ready to listen any more. Congress won't rise again. Congress is responsible,” Bhardwaj was quoted as saying by ANI news agency.

“Aur main us bechari (Sonia Gandhi) ko koi dosh nahin deta (And I don't blame that helpless lady),” he said in remarks that are likely to evoke sharp reactions from within the party.

He said the party needs to put in hard work if it seeks revival, and added, “Not bringing Priyanka Gandhi into politics is another reason why people are not happy.”

“Being communal or secular at one's will is not the way...hard work needs to be put in to revive Congress,” the former law minister said.

He blamed some of the new leaders for the current situation in which the party is today.

“The new forces are very strong. There are three to four leaders, they only decide what is right and what is wrong,” Bhardwaj said.

“And Congress took the senior experienced leaders by the ear and took them out,” he was quoted as saying.

“Imagine the amount of foul play when a man like Manmohan Singh is summoned by the court,” he said further.

Sheila Dikshit had done good work in Delhi but is now sitting at home now, said Bhardwaj, adding this party isn't anyone's personal property.