Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday joined MPSC aspirants protesting in Pune. They demanded the removal of the chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.

Raut met the protesters and urged them to stay firm on their demands. He said their slogans should reach Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom he accused of pretending to be deaf.

Calling the agitation the Jantar Mantar of Maharashtra, Raut said thousands of students from different parts of the state were on the streets and were even prepared to face arrest. He said the MPSC and recruitment process must be cleaned up from top to bottom.

Dipke also stood with the aspirants, who are protesting the postponement of the State Services Main Examination 2026, which was scheduled for October 3. The protest has continued for four days.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar urged the government to hold talks with the protesters immediately. He said he had spoken to the Chief Minister and offered to mediate personally.