12 October,2026 12:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to send MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave, calling it a victory for students and youth. File pic
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday welcomed the Maharashtra government's decision to send Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave, saying the move would pave the way for a full investigation into alleged corruption.
In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha described the development as a victory for students, young people and the Satyagraha movement, following an 11-day protest by MPSC aspirants in Pune over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations.
"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," he said.
The Maharashtra government sent Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until the inquiry into the alleged paper leak case is completed. The decision came amid demands from protesting aspirants for the MPSC chairman's removal.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also welcomed the development, crediting the students' unity and sustained agitation for the government's decision.
"Let the victory of the students'' unity prevail! For nearly 11 days, students were forced to protest!! Even though there is a drought in their residential taluka, even though their families are in crisis, they were made to sit on the streets, and yesterday these young students fought against injustice and made the government bow down!"
The government has also constituted a five-member committee headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale to investigate alleged irregularities in MPSC recruitment examinations and examine complaints raised by candidates.
Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed secretary of the committee. Its other members are IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik.
Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale announced the committee after discussions with candidates protesting in Pune. The government also said cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn, while assuring that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the alleged paper leak case.
Apart from action against those allegedly involved in the irregularities, the aspirants have demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters, recruitment to 70,000 posts over the next three years and an increase in vacancies for the Group-C examination scheduled for January.
The removal of Bhimanwar was also among their key demands. While the government has now sent him on compulsory leave pending the inquiry, the allegations surrounding the recruitment examinations remain subject to investigation.
Speaking to ANI after meeting the aspirants, Bhosale said, "A positive stance regarding the MPSC has been established; the committee simply needed to make some technical adjustments. We have prepared those changes, and that is what is being submitted now."
(With inputs from ANI)
