With the elections slated to take place later this year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) budget for the financial year 2024 – 2025 bears a strong political hue, with the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s imprint looming large over the fiscal sheets. Key new projects — aimed at improving weaker sections — have been named after Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and Sena leader Anand Dighe, amidst a deliberate push by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to portray himself as a natural claimant of the life and legacy of both the Sena stalwarts. The budget has also announced a slew of social impact initiatives in its budget, targeting economically weaker sections of the society. A total fund of Rs 507.98 crore has been allocated for various financial assistance schemes in the city. Named after Shinde’s mentor Anand Dighe, the civic body has introduced the new ‘Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Divyang Financial Assistance scheme’ under which an allocation of Rs 111.83 crores for persons with physical disabilities has been made. As a part of the scheme, the BMC will …