Smita hails Sonia Gandhi for women’s quota bill, praises Raj

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s estranged daughter-in-law Smita on Wednesday hailed Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi for getting the women’s reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s estranged daughter-in-law Smita on Wednesday hailed Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi for getting the women’s reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha.

HT Image

“Mahatma Gandhi secured Independence for India. After so many years, Sonia Gandhi has given freedom to the women masses of this country," she said at a press conference.

When asked about joining any political party, Smita — she is reportedly keen to join the Congress — said she would join a party that gives scope to her ambitions. “I can join any party,” she added.

Apart from Sonia Gandhi, Smita also praised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray, who is her brother-in-law, and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj.

“Like Balasaheb, Raj too has created his party out of nothing. However, I don't approve his plank [against north Indians],”she said.

Dismissing Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray, as a leader who is not on par with his father, she said: “There is a huge difference between the leadership qualities of the two.”

Uddhav’s rise in the Sena had resulted in her downfall in the party’s power circle.