'Eknath Shinde Is Old Timer Shivsainik': Bal Thackeray’s Daughter-In-Law Meets Maharashtra CM

Smita, who is the first member of the Thackeray clan to meet Shinde, said it was a courtesy visit.

Smita Thackeray, daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, meets Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi: Smita Thackeray, the daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, met Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and called him an "old-timer" Sena activist, as reported by news agency PTI. Last month, Shinde, whose rebellion against Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with 39 MLAs led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government last month. Smita, who is the first member of the Thackeray clan to meet Shinde, said it was a courtesy visit.

“Eknath Shinde is an old Shivsainik who has become the chief minister. I came here to congratulate him. I know him and his work for the last many years. It was a courtesy meeting. We have been knowing each other for a long time so I met him today,” she told reporters after meeting Shinde at the 'Sahyadri' government guest house in south Mumbai.

When asked about rebellion in Shiv Sena, Smita said she knew nothing about it as she is a social worker and not into politics.

“I am not into politics. I know nothing about it,” said Smita, a powerful figure in Shiv Sena during 1995-99.

Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the proceedings of the Election Commission on the plea of ​​the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction seeking recognition of it as the real Shiv Sena. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list a petition by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction challenging proceedings before the Election Commission on August 1, Live Law reported.