Raj Thackeray Meets MPSC Aspirants in Pune, Backs Demands Over...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 5 October 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Visits Pune Protest Site to Support MPSC Aspirants

PUNE — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray arrived at the S.M. Joshi Bridge area in Pune on Monday, October 5, 2026, to address hundreds of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants who have been protesting for four consecutive days. The agitation, supported by cross-party leaders including MLA Rohit Pawar, centers on allegations of paper leaks in recent competitive examinations, administrative delays, and calls for top-level accountability within the testing agency.

Interacting directly with candidates gathered at the demonstration site, Thackeray expressed solidarity with their grievances while urging them to channel their anger into structured, long-term civic pressure. His visit comes amid escalating friction between student bodies and state authorities over examination transparency and recruitment timelines.

Direct Address to Students: Reality of Public Recruitment and Political Pressure

During his address, Thackeray offered a pragmatic assessment of state employment policies, cautioning students against unviable political promises. Commenting on the demand for an immediate filling of 70,000 vacant government positions, the MNS chief remarked that even if a new government were to take office tomorrow, recruiting 70,000 candidates simultaneously remains administrative and fiscally challenging. He advised aspirants to ground their demands in practical frameworks to ensure tangible outcomes rather than temporary political reassurances.

Highlighting the systemic impact of paper leaks on youth morale, Thackeray stated that he was prepared to meet any authority or political leader if it meant securing legitimate employment opportunities for the youth of Maharashtra. He stressed that elected representatives respond primarily to sustained electoral pressure, advising students that public agitation must persist until administrative accountability is legally enforced.

Background of Agitation, Paper Leak Allegations, and Student Demands

The protest in Pune erupted following allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in recent state competitive examinations, including the Drug Inspector recruitment test. Agitating candidates have outlined four primary demands: the immediate resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimnawar, an official notification to fill over 70,000 vacant state posts, a complete transition to offline examination formats, and a transparent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into all suspected examination breaches.

In response to the initial days of the protest, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a dialogue with a student delegation in Mumbai. Following the meeting, the state government transferred MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar. However, a significant faction of protesting aspirants rejected the partial concession, insisting on remaining at the protest site in Pune until the commission chairman resigns and formal notifications for fresh recruitment are issued.

Government Action and Cross-Party Political Dynamics

The protest site near Alka Talkies and Shastri Road has emerged as a focal point for political engagement in Maharashtra. Prior to Raj Thackeray's visit, senior figures from various political parties—including former Home Minister Anil देशमुख, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and Satej Patil, and Shiv Sena MP Omraje Nimbalkar—visited the site to extend formal support.

Conversely, ruling coalition representatives have criticized the political dimension of the demonstration. Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol and BJP leaders accused opposition parties of using student grievances for political leverage ahead of upcoming electoral contests. Officials maintained that the state administration has already taken corrective measures by re-examining suspect papers and initiating structural audits of MPSC operations, reaffirming their commitment t...