M A I N   N E W S

Wife of Bal Thackeray's estranged son Jaidev, Smita had set tongues wagging after she continued to use the famous surname even after the breakup of her marriage. When the Shiv Sena-BJP combine was in office between 1994 and 1999, Smita had emerged as a major political player. However, the ascent of Uddhav Thackeray in the Sena resulted in Smita being marginalised. She confirmed in the interview what was being said in party circles for long - that she was upset at being denied a Rajya Sabha seat that went to journalist Bharat Kumar Raut.

‘Shows disenchantment with Sena’

New Delhi: A visibly elated Congress on Saturday said the decision of Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray to join the party reflected the growing “disenchantment and disillusionment” of every Indian with Congress’ bete noire Shiv Sena. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi declined to comment on Smita joining the Congress saying it was a decision to be taken by “other bodies in the party”.

That the 48-year-old Thackeray bahu professed admiration for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul for doing a great job of leading the country is certainly music to Congress’ ears. Besides being deprived of personal progress and getting marginalised in her father-in-law’s outfit, Smita also accused the Shiv Sena of being “unfair to Maharashtrians” with its divisive and parochial politics. Congress leaders are loving every bit of Smita’s tirade against Shiv Sena, especially since it is an exact copy of their own rantings against the Shiv Sena and its partner - the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena is preferring to remain silent on the issue.