Congress' Atul Londhe Challenges Minister Jaykumar Gore To Join MPSC Aspirants' Protest For ₹3,000 A Day, Demands Apology

Mumbai: Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe rebuked Maharashtra minister Jaykumar Gore for his comments targeting MPSC aspirants who had staged a 10-day protest in Pune over issues surrounding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations. Londhe demanded an apology from Gore for allegedly disparaging the hardworking candidates fighting for government jobs.

"I would offer minister Jaykumar Gore ₹3,000 a day if he were to join the students in their protest," Londhe declared, challenging the minister to experience their agitation firsthand. The MPSC aspirants' protest had forced the BJP-led Mahayuti government to address their demands after 10 days of demonstrations. However, Londhe accused the government of insensitivity towards students and their concerns after the subsequent remarks against the protesters.

Raising questions over recruitment and the conduct of competitive examinations, Londhe claimed that nearly 70,000 government posts remained vacant despite numerous candidates seeking employment. He alleged that the MPSC examination calendar was chaotic and that question paper leaks had frequently compromised the examination process.

The Congress leader also criticized the government for not tackling alleged corruption within the commission, saying these issues had increased uncertainty for candidates preparing for competitive exams. Londhe accused the BJP government of putting students' futures at risk by forcing them to protest for 10 days straight, claiming that the government's response to their demands was insensitive.

He pointed out that countless aspirants from rural and village areas in Maharashtra traveled to Pune for MPSC exams, often sacrificing financially and personally. Londhe dismissed Gore's claim that foreign forces were behind the students' protest as baseless and demanded the minister withdraw his remarks and apologize publicly to the protesting aspirants.