Ranchi, June 6: Senior Congress leader Rameshwar Oraon's recent comments against Jharkhand party unit's chief Sukhdeo Bhagat has triggered a fresh controversy, in a pointer to the prevailing state of affairs within the organisation that is struggling hard to revive itself and rejuvenate its support base.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes chairman Oraon on Saturday reportedly blamed Bhagat for the party's downfall in the state, drawing sharp reaction from the Congress high command.

Unfazed by the threat of possible action by the party leadership, Oraon, a former IPS and Union minister, reiterated his views today, but claimed that he had no malice against his former aide and pupil Bhagat.

"I was sitting at my brother-in-law's petrol bunk in Itki area (Ranchi) on Saturday evening when some Congress workers approached me and complained that the party was being ruined. I casually asked them 'what else can be expected under Sukhdeo Bhagat's leadership'. I have no malice towards him, but tell me what is being done to strengthen the party organisation in Jharkhand. Change of guard is the need of the hour to rejuvenate the organisation here," the former Lohardaga MP told The Telegraph justifying his comments.

Oraon cited the example of his friend and JMM patriarch Shibu Soren.

"Last evening, I wanted to pay a courtesy visit to him at his Morabadi residence. But, I was told that he was busy with a party campaign in East Singhbhum. Just see what this ailing old man is doing for his party and what the Congress leaders are doing," he added.

Bhagat said the high command has taken strong exception to Oraon's unwarranted remarks and that appropriate action would be taken soon.

"If I had been sleeping, how did our party candidates win the Lohardaga and Panki Assembly bypolls? He (Oraon) has become too old for active politics now. At this age, he should be playing with his grandchildren instead of giving such loud public statements," Bhagat said.

Another senior leader said that Oraon was eyeing the state Congress president's chair. "His term as the ST commission chairman is to expire on October 31, and the NDA government may not renew his tenure. So, under the prevailing circumstances, Oraon needs some job to maintain his clout," he added.

He further said that Oraon himself had done nothing to strengthen the party.