Smita can join after Maha unit nod: Congress

The Congress on Saturday reacted positively to reports of Smita Thackeray, daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, planning to join the party, but said she would be admitted only after the Maharashtra unit's nod.

The Congress on Saturday reacted positively to reports of Smita Thackeray, daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, planning to join the party, but said she would be admitted only after the Maharashtra unit's nod.

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“I am happy to learn that like the common people of the country, members of the Thackeray family are also expressing faith in the party's policies and in its leaders,” Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said.

He said Congress policies were inclusive and the party wanted to carry everyone along.

Asked if Smita Thackeray's entry had been discussed by the party, Ahmed said the central leadership will have no problems in admitting her “if her name is cleared by the party's Maharashtra unit".

Ahmed said Smita Thackeray had shown wisdom in distancing herself from the “divisive” politics of the Shiv Sena. “It is a belated decision, but a correct one,” Ahmed maintained.

Smita Thackeray had been quoted by a newspaper Saturday admiring Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi and desiring to be part of the good work being done by the party.