CM shielding MPSC chief, alleges Dipke; BJP hits back, says CJP founder daydreaming and acting as AAP agent

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday accused chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of shielding Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar amid growing allegations of irregularities. BJP dismissed Dipke’s claims as baseless “daydreaming” driven by political motives.“Was he made MPSC chairperson because he was your senior in college? Personal equations should remain private,” he said, targeting Fadnavis at a gathering of MPSC candidates in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which organisers said was attended by around 2,000 aspirants.BJP spokesperson Sanjay Kenekar dismissed Dipke’s claims as “nothing but Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne,” accusing him of acting as an Aam Aadmi Party “agent.” “Fadnavis leads a govt that secured a clear electoral mandate,” he said.Dipke said confidence in MPSC had eroded and insisted that Bhimanwar’s removal was necessary to restore trust. “Aspirants have lost faith in MPSC. If question papers are being leaked repeatedly, students have no reason to trust the system. To rebuild confidence, the chairperson must be removed,” Dipke said.He said protests would continue till Bhimanwar resigned, questioning why he remained in office despite allegations raised by aspirants over the conduct of recruitment examinations. Highlighting the scale of the aspirants’ community, Dipke said nearly 20 lakh MPSC candidates and their families constituted a significant voter base. “If Bhimanwar is not made to resign, aspirants will not support you. Leave aside him, you could lose your own post,” he warned.In a statement issued later, CJP said Dipke had urged students to join the “Bhimanwar Should Resign” campaign by posting videos on social media outlining their concerns and demanding accountability from MPSC leadership.According to the party, the meeting focused on alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the need for accountability within the commission. Dipke had held a similar interaction with aspirants in Amravati on Sept 19, while another outreach meeting is planned in Nashik.The CJP statement also cited a March 2025 Loksatta report that raised questions over the procurement of radar equipment for interceptor vehicles during Bhimanwar’s tenure as Maharashtra transport commissioner. The allegations have, however, not established any criminal wrongdoing.Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Download the TOI App.