The banner of revolt raised by Smita, the daughter-in-law of Bal Thackeray may have sent the Shiv Sena into clam-up mode but the BJP was vocal in expressing itself on the rift within the parivar. Trying to ward off the development as “unfortunate”, both sides maintained that this does not impact their relationship.
In a blunt statement BJP senior leader Madhav Bhandari said, “Smita Thackeray’s decision to join the Congress is not going to make any difference to either the Sena or the BJP. She does not hold any official charge of the organisation, nor play an active role in the decision-making of the party.”
Dismissing the developments as “family matters” the BJP has decided to keep a safe distance. In comparison, the Sena top leadership went into a huddle to discuss the matter behind closed doors but refused to comment. Admitting it has left them red-faced. A senior Sena leader said, “The Thackeray family is integral to Sena politics. Frankly speaking, her decision to leave the Sena makes no difference to the organisation.” But added, “At this age it must be very traumatic for Bal Thackeray to see his daughter-in-law revolting against the family, Uddhav.” Insiders admit, “Thackeray always went the extra mile to ensure the well-being of all his daughters-in-law. Smita’s children Rahul and Aishwarya are very close to their grandfather.”
A senior Sena leader who worked with Thackeray Senior said, “The Thackeray surname gave Smita a powerful identity.”
BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde said, “The Sena-BJP alliance is based on electoral and policy matters and has nothing to do with the internal matters of the Thackeray family.”
At the outset, the BJP and Sena may try to underplay the developments but they also realise that it does not augur well for the image of the alliance which is already passing through a bad political phase.
Political managers in the Sena said, “Smita’s decision to quit Sena will not destabilise the party’s structure. Her areas of operation were always restricted to powerful individual leaders. She never had any bonding with ordinary sainiks or shakhas which are the mainstay of the organisation.” Yet, when the cadre sees its top leadership engaged in war at home it is bound to demoralise them.
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