“Full investigation into corruption now”: Rahul Gandhi on MPSC chairman’s exit
Rahul Gandhi calls the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar a victory for students following intense protests over paper leak allegations.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has hailed the recent development regarding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), stating that the removal of the chairman will pave the way for a comprehensive probe into corruption.
The decision to send MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave comes in the wake of massive unrest and an 11-day-long protest led by aspirants in Pune. The students had been demanding his resignation, alleging deep-seated irregularities and paper leaks within the recruitment examinations.
A Victory for Students and Satyagraha
Taking to the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi framed the government's move as a significant triumph for the younger generation. He noted that the departure of the chairman ensures that the truth regarding alleged malpractices will finally come to light.
“The Chairman of MPSC finally had to go - now there will be a full investigation into corruption. This is a big victory for the students. This is a big victory for the youth. This is a big victory for Satyagraha,” Gandhi posted.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the grit shown by the protesting students. He highlighted the hardships faced by the aspirants, many of whom came from drought-stricken areas and families in crisis, only to be forced onto the streets to fight for justice.
High-Level Committee Formed to Probe Irregularities
To address the growing crisis, the Maharashtra government has established a five-member inquiry committee to investigate the alleged paper leak case and examine the grievances of the candidates. The committee is led by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale.
The investigative team includes several high-profile officials:
- Tukaram Mundhe: Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, serving as the committee secretary.
- Laxmi Gautam: IPS officer.
- Ganesh Patil: Former IAS officer.
- P D Naik: Retired judge.
Demands of the Protesting Aspirants
The agitation in Pune was driven by a specific set of demands aimed at reforming the recruitment process and ensuring fairness. While the government has acted on the removal of the chairman, other key demands remain on the table. The aspirants have called for:
- The withdrawal of all legal cases registered against students participating in the protests.
- The recruitment of 70,000 posts over the next three years.
- An increase in vacancies for the Group-C examination scheduled for January.
In a major concession, Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale met with the protesters and announced that the cases filed against the students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn. He further assured the candidates that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of involvement in the MPSC paper leak scandal.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Bhosale indicated that a positive direction has been established regarding the MPSC issues, noting that the committee is currently working on necessary technical adjustments to resolve the ongoing concerns.