Mumbai, November 29: At 82, Bal Thackeray who is battling to pull the Shiv Sena from its current political turmoil finds his own family caught in a crossfire. A senior colleague and family friend of the Thackerays recalled with tears in his eyes, “I cannot see the ailing Thackeray going through such torture from his own family members (read Smita) whom he gave name, fame and identity to.”
He said, “Between 1966-2009, he may have weathered many political storms but what is going on within the family is bound to have an impact.” He added, “When Meenatai (wife of Bal Thackeray) was alive, there was always a sense of great belonging when one stepped inside Matoshree. That seems to be a thing of the past.”
Imagine, Thackeray who never participated in direct power politics finding his family quarrelling for posts and positions.
Insiders wonder, why a low profile Uddhav crossed swords with cousin Raj to gain control of the Sena when Thackeray Senior decided to take a backseat. The rift between Uddhavand Raj for the Thackeray legacy that saw the first split within the party is attributed as the first big blunder made by the ailing tiger. It also reflected his prejudice and partisan attitude,isolating Raj, who formed the MNS.
Thackeray’s blind affection for Uddhav is perceived as his emotional dependence on Uddhav’s family. The reasons may revolve around having lost his eldest son Bindumadhav in a car accident and his second son Jaidev moving out of the house in his early years.
However, those close to the family maintained, “Thackeray never discriminated among his daughters-in-law and grandchildren.” He always was generous in praising Rashmi (Uddhav’s wife) and Smita (estranged wife of Jaidev). Despite Jaidev moving out of the house, Smita continued to enjoy the confidence and support of the family. But it was her political ambitions to play a major role in the Sena which Uddhav didn’t accommodate, that created fissures within the parivar.
–Agencies–