Pune: Rohit Pawar Gives Govt 7 PM Deadline To Hold Talks With MPSC Students, Warns Of Bigger Protest From Tomorrow

In Pune, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has given the state government a seven o'clock deadline to hold discussions with MPSC students, warning of a larger protest should their demands not be met. The NCP MLA's ultimatum was delivered as an 11-day protest entered its final phase at SM Joshi Bridge. Addressing the media, Pawar emphasized that the state government must take decisive action to address the students' grievances, rather than merely enduring their patience. He stated that any decision would be made known by this evening.

Pawar warned that the protest could escalate beyond MPSC aspirants, with ordinary citizens potentially joining the movement. Drawing a comparison to Delhi protests, he stated that Pune might witness a significant gathering if the government remained unresponsive. The MLA criticized the ruling establishment for dismissing the protesters as politically motivated and questioned whether they had been paid to participate in the demonstration.

Referring to BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar's remarks, Pawar dismissed the insult of labeling the students as "Urban Naxals" and alleged that the government was treating the protest as a form of entertainment, mocking the struggles of farmers' children. Pawar reiterated the primary demand of the protesters, calling for the removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and the cleansing of the commission to ensure transparency.

He questioned the government's response to farmers' distress, alleging that drought relief had not been announced despite the ongoing difficulties.

The MLA asserted that the government must prioritize the well-being of Maharashtra's youth and their future. He promised to announce the next phase and scale of the agitation at seven o'clock if the government failed to initiate talks with the students.