MUMBAI, OCT 12 (PTI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday defended Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, asserting that he was in no way connected to the paper leak controversy, but welcomed his decision to go on leave on “moral grounds”.
The state BJP’s chief spokesperson, Navnath Ban, alleged that the protest by MPSC aspirants was politically motivated despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepting all demands from day one.
MPSC aspirants ended their 10-day agitation late on Sunday night after the state government formed a committee, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary, to probe alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the recruitment body.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had been protesting alongside the aspirants.
Subsequently, MPSC chairman Bhimanwar announced that he had proceeded on leave till the inquiry was completed.
Speaking to reporters, Ban said, “The entire issue had nothing to do with Bhimanwar. No paper leak had occurred during his tenure as chairman. Nevertheless, he decided to go on leave on moral grounds. I wholeheartedly welcome his decision and thank him.”
The chief minister had supported the students from the beginning and accepted all their demands, but the agitation continued in Pune, and had unfortunately taken a political turn, he claimed.
He further said that the Fadnavis-led government would continue to stand with students and work in their interest.
