The Thackeray in the margins

Objecting to the criticism that Marathi politicians were educating their children in English schools,she wrote,Even if my children have got the best education in English,they still continue to be Marathi children.

The reason for her writing in Loksatta became known four days later when she came out in the open and expressed her desire to join the Congress. The Sena mouthpiece Saamna was apparently not entertaining her,which fell in line with Smitas complaints about how she felt suffocated in the party and wanted to quit. She complained about being marginalised in the Sena,which had refused to nominate her to the Rajya Sabha and chose Bharatkumar Raut,former editor of Marathi daily Maharashtra Times,instead.

Her outbursts caused a flutter in the political circles,with Maharashtra Congress chief Manikrao Thakre saying that she would be welcomed if the high command approved her admission. The obvious reason was her surname Thackeray that would give a jolt to the image of the Sena and allow the Congress leaders to belittle Thackeray Sr.

Smita,who started as a receptionist in Centaur Hotel,was married to Jaidev Thackeray,but they separated a decade later. Jaidev separated from his father in 1995,but she continued to stay at Matoshri,the family home. Her rise came after the Sena-BJP captured power in Maharashtra and Matoshri became the hub of power politics. Her proximity to Thackeray Sr,who took pride in running the state government through remote control,made her an important person in the family. She was one of the most sought after person by powerbrokers. After the death of Thackerays eldest son Bindumadhav,a film producer,in a car accident in 1996,Smita turned to Bollywood and emerged as a socialite. She produced Haseena Man Jayegi (1999),Kaise Kahein (2007) and Sandwich (2008). She also formed an NGO,Mukti Foundation,to create awareness against drug abuse and AIDS.

After the Sena-BJP lost to the Congress-NCP alliance and Thackeray Sr anointed Uddhav as the party executive president,Smitas power declined. She was considered to be closer to Raj than Uddhav. Subsequently,she started living separately in Juhu.

Smita has no mass base and,by accepting her,the Congress would have little to gain except the satisfaction of having a Thackeray in its fold,albeit for cosmetic purposes.

The Sena has lost important leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal in 1991,Narayan Rane in 2005 and Raj Thackeray in 2006. Smitas exit would not have any such effect on the party. At best,Smitas defection to the Congress would only affect the Senas image and the ability,or the lack of it,of Thackeray Sr in looking after his bahu as the patriarch of the family.

Uddhav has shrugged her outbursts,saying,Everyone is free to take decisions. I dont want to comment. Let her take a decision and then Ill react.

Nevertheless,Smitas dissidence has come at a time when the Sena is fighting for survival not only against the growing clout of the Congress-NCP but also against the MNS,which has broken its monopoly on issues like Marathi identity and sons of soil. Her outbursts have also come at a time when Thackeray Sr has marginalised Uddhav after the poll debacle and taken centrestage.