PM Modi plays host to Shinde family

PM Narendra Modi meets CM Shinde’s son Shrikant and his wife Vrushali, and son Rudransh, in New Delhi

Bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde played out loud when the former hosted the Shiv Sena leader's family for a couple of hours at his residence in the national capital.

The meeting happened amid speculations that Shinde's days in the Maharashtra CMO were numbered, and the newest ally, Ajit Pawar, would replace him sooner or later. Shinde had been to Delhi four days ago to attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting at which he was given prominence and invited to table the victory resolutions. On Saturday, four generations of the Shinde family - the CM himself, his father Sambhaji, his MP son Shrikant and grandson Rudransh, along with Shinde's wife Lata and daughter-in-law Vrushali, spent quality time with PM.

Shinde said it was a courtesy call. "Modi ji interacted warmly with my family and also talked about the state issues, assuring us all possible assistance from the Centre in developmental and infrastructure projects. He inquired about the rescue and relief in a landslide tragedy at Irshalwadi and the flood situation in parts of the state."

Shinde said the PM expected him to complete the Dharavi redevelopment project at the earliest because it was going to change the face of the city and lift the living standard of local people. Apart from Dharavi, the PM also asked Shinde to expedite the delayed redevelopment projects, because everyone wants his/her own home. They also discussed diverting the excessive water that flows into the seas of Konkan to the drought-prone areas.

Shinde said his father had always wished to meet PM Modi. "My father was very satisfied after the meeting. The PM enjoyed the company of my grandson. The two talked a lot," he said, adding that would visit the union minister of home affairs Amit Shah later in the day.