Anand Dighe Death Anniversary: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Donates Ambulances to Districts, Shiv Sena (UBT) Holds Health Camps

Thane, August 26: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday distributed 25 ambulances to various districts in the state to mark the death anniversary of his mentor Anand Dighe, a hugely popular politician from the Thane region who died on August 26, 2001.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) also held health camps at its shakhas (field offices) to honour Dighe, whose charisma helped the undivided Shiv Sena to become the most powerful party in the region, and whose legacy both factions lay claim to. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Makes Surprise Visit to Civic-Run KEM Hospital in Mumbai to Inquire About Facilities (Watch Video).

Speaking at the event after distributing the keys of these ambulances to MLAs, shakha pramukhs of the beneficiary districts, Shinde said making ambulances available for the benefit of people was the brainchild of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray.

So far 250 ambulances have been distributed and more will be made available as per demand from various regions in the state, Shinde said. In the last one year, a sum of Rs 100 crore had been distributed for various purposes from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, while this figure was just Rs 2.5 crore during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, he said. Sharad Pawar Says Some NCP Leaders Joined Hands With BJP as They Were Threatened by Probe 'Agencies'.

A Rs 400 crore water supply scheme underway for 78 villages in Manmad and a cancer hospital coming up in Thane city have both been named after Dighe, the CM told the gathering. Functionaries from both factions of the Shiv Sena visited 'Shakti Sthal', the memorial of Dighe, who died in a Thane hospital after being injured in a road accident.