IANS

Mumbai, Mar 10: Former Shiv Sena leader Smita Thackeray, who is tipped to join the Congress, Wednesday credited UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the historic Women's Reservation Bill that the Rajya Sabha passed Tuesday.

"Mahatma Gandhi secured independence for India. After so many years, Sonia Gandhi has given freedom to the women masses of this country," Smita said while interacting with mediapersons at her homen.

The estranged daughter-in-law of Sena chief Bal Thackeray said that she had always been "a big fan" of Sonia.

"I have been a big fan of Sonia and also of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Sushma Swaraj," Smita said, indicating that she was keeping all her political options open.

Smita also expressed her admiration for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who left the Thackeray household nearly five years ago after differences with his cousin, Sena executive president Uddhav.

"He has a forceful and impressive style of speaking and I admire him," she declared.

On her plans after leaving the Sena nearly two months ago, Smita declined to specify which party she was preparing to join.

"I would not like to name (the party) as I have to wait for their response," she said.

A couple of days ago, she also said that though she had full respect for Marathi, she would also speak in Hindi as it was widely understood.