Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai: In a move which was expected from quite some time, Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray’s daughter-in –law Smita Thackeray, finally announced her decision to join Congress.
Thackeray, who had raised eyebrows earlier by lauding Rahul Gandhi and openly expressing her willingness to change sides, said that she was forced to take this decision after being continuously sidelined in the Sena.
Smita, the estranged wife of Bal Thackeray’s elder son Jaydev, was a power centre in the Shiv Sena over a decade ago when Uddhav had not formally joined the organisation and was known to be one of the closest associates of the Shiv Sena chief. But with the power balance gradually shifting towards Uddhav, Smita felt sidelined and had been mulling over the decision to join Congress from quite some time.
Smita is to meet the meet the Congress State Unit President Manikrao Thakre on April 15 for formal initiation into the party.
`No decision on Smita Thackeray joining Cong`
Congress today said no decision has
been taken so far on the issue of admitting Smita Thackeray,
daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, in the
party.
"There has been no decision on Smita Thackeray joining
Congress. If she approaches, we will forward her application
to party high command," Mumbai Congress President Krupa
Shankar Singh told PTI.
Commenting on reports that Smita would be joining
Congress on April 15, Singh said there is no question of a
date being set for the joining ceremony when no decision has
been taken yet on the issue of admitting her in the party.
Meanwhile, noted film and TV actor Parikshit Sahani
joined Congress.
"Sahani had expressed his willingness to work for the
party and was admitted into Congress here today," Singh said.
