Aaditya Thackeray to join Pune MPSC protest, backs demand for chairperson’s exit

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray will join protesting MPSC aspirants in Pune on Tuesday (October 6, 2026), stepping up the Opposition’s support for students demanding the removal of commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and changes in the recruitment body’s functioning.

Mr. Thackeray announced his visit in a post on X on Monday (October 5), saying he had spoken to Vivekanand Patil and would sit with the protesting students in Pune on Tuesday (October 5).

“I have just spoken to Vivekanand Patil. Tomorrow, I will go and sit with the students participating in the MPSC agitation in Pune,” Mr. Thackeray said.

Addressing the MPSC chairperson, Mr. Thackeray questioned why he continued in office despite Opposition from aspirants. “Thousands and lakhs of students are rejecting you and asking you to step aside,” he said, asking whether students would have to gather outside the MPSC office before the chairman resigned.

The agitation in Pune has continued for several days, with aspirants raising a range of demands concerning the functioning of the commission, including greater transparency in examinations and the removal of its chairman. Protesters have been gathering at multiple locations in the city, including near the S.M. Joshi Bridge.

The agitation comes days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met a delegation of MPSC aspirants on September 30 and announced a series of measures. These included the immediate transfer of the MPSC secretary, continuation of offline examinations and a judicial inquiry concerning former and incumbent MPSC officials, with further action to be considered under Article 317 of the Constitution based on its findings. The assurances had initially led to the suspension of a proposed October 2 protest, but sections of aspirants subsequently resumed their agitation.

The protest has since drawn support from several Opposition leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke met the protesters on Sunday, while NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has been participating in the agitation. Mr. Pawar on Monday gave the State government a 48-hour ultimatum to address the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could intensify.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray was also scheduled to visit the protesting aspirants in Pune on Monday (October 5).