Mumbai, Nov 28 : Rahul Thackeray, grandson of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, has justified his mother Smita Thackeray''s interest in switching side from the party to join the Congress party.

Smita Thackeray has reportedly expressed willingness to join Congress party, and she had also showered praises on party President Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.

“She also has expressed certain views towards joining politics. Her views have been basically mentioned within the Sena. She does not receive a proper response from the Sena, so she has kept herself open to other options,” Rahul Thackeray said.

Rahul also said that her mother has all the respect for the Shiv Sena supremo.

Meanwhile, State unit of Congress has welcomed Smita''s interest in joining Congress, but said that the party is yet to receive any formal request from her side.

“She has to take an initiation. A request should come from her side stating her interest to join Congress. If we receive any application from her, we would definitely think over it,” said Manikrao Thackeray, President of Congress committee in Maharashtra.

Smita, estranged wife of Jaydev Thackeray, was a power centre in the Shiv Sena over a decade ago and was known to be one of the closest associates of the Shiv Sena chief. (ANI)