Congress is underplaying its fresh catch which, sources claim, was planned to further dent to the image of the Sena, which is still reeling after its loss in the 2009 Assembly elections.
The Congress has decided to embrace the high-profile daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena chief Smita Thackeray, to strongly convey the message that party president ‘Soniaji’ Gandhi has greater acceptance than Balasaheb. The Congress is underplaying its fresh catch which, sources claim, was planned to further dent to the image of the Sena, which is still reeling after its loss in the 2009 Assembly elections. The move was supposedly the brainchild of an all India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary. Insiders claim that state revenue minister Narayan Rane facilitated the move with a view to exposing the growing cracks within the Sena under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.
A close aide of Rane said, “It’s a concerted attempt to intensify the attack against Uddhav and cripple the Sena which is struggling to put its house in order before the 2012 Corporation elections.” Although the Sena is down post the Assembly elections, the Congress knows it cannot be dismissed completely. Moreover, Congress wants to pit Smita against Uddhav and Raj, when it comes to playing the Marathi asmitha (identity) card.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre said, “As long as Smita Thackeray is willing to accept the Congress ideology, we have no problems.”
He said, “Smita has already held discussions with some leaders at the Centre. But the formal process of inducting her into the organisation is yet to begin.” Sources in the Congress said, “The question of rolling a red carpet to welcome her does not arise. At the best we may consider accommodating her as the member of the state legislature council.” A senior AICC functionary said, “We cannot rule out her meeting with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the coming days. But that will be a courtesy call.” The Thackeray bahu will have to come to the Congress on the terms and conditions set by the party.
The big question being debated in the AICC and MPCC is what changes will Smita bring to the Congress? Says party spokesperson Hussain Dalwai, “The Congress does not operate on an individual basis. Its backbone is its ideology which has greater acceptance among the masses. But it is good that even Thackeray’s daughter-in-law, who was associated with the Sena, is willing to accept the Congress ideology.”
However, doubts are being raised within the party as to what extent Sonia Gandhi will allow the exploitation of the bahu tag to fight the political battle in the state. As a senior observer remarked, “The BJP in the past has played Sonia against Maneka,” to embarrass the Congress, which hasn’t gone down well with the party.
It is no secret that Smita had a limited role in the policy-making or functioning of the Sena. However, she did hold considerable influence behind the scenes when the party was in power between 1995-1999. Ever since Uddhav took up the reins of the organisation she sensed she was confined to the role of just another Thackeray bahu at Matoshree, the Thackeray residence. A senior Sena leader said, “Her decision to join the Congress was an outcome of her desire for a new identity. She knows her innings within the Sena under the Thackeray shadow has come to an end.”
Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said, “While we thank Mrs Thackeray for her eloquent praise of the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi, in so far as membership of the party is concerned, there is an ongoing campaign whereby any individual is free to enroll as a member of the Indian National Congress. However, in certain specific cases, an appropriate decision has to be taken by the concerned state unit of the party."
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