Maharashtra Women's Commission Chief Steps Down Following Controversy
In a significant political development, Rupali Chakankar, a prominent NCP politician, has resigned from her position as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women's Commission. The resignation comes after she was directed to step down by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following revelations of her alleged connections with rape-accused astrologer Ashok Kharat.
Pressure Mounts as CM Intervenes
Sources indicate that CM Fadnavis summoned Chakankar to his official residence for a meeting on Friday evening, where he instructed her to resign immediately. Following this directive, Chakankar met with Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who also serves as the NCP chief, and submitted her resignation letter. Despite stepping down from the commission, Chakankar retains her role as the chief of the NCP women's wing.
In her resignation letter addressed to Fadnavis, Chakankar stated, "I am resigning from the post voluntarily owing to personal reasons." She had been appointed to the position in October 2024, serving for a relatively short tenure before the controversy erupted.
Background of the Allegations
The controversy centers around Ashok Kharat, a 67-year-old astrologer who was arrested by Nashik city police on Wednesday. The arrest followed a complaint from a 28-year-old woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her repeatedly over a three-year period from 2022 to 2025.
Chakankar's involvement came to light as it was revealed that she had been part of a temple trust headed by Kharat. In the wake of the scandal, several images and videos surfaced, showing Chakankar:
- Washing Kharat's feet during religious ceremonies
- Being fed by him at public events
- Holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun
Additionally, a viral video showed Chakankar comparing Kharat to Lord Vitthal, further fueling the controversy. Calls for her resignation emerged not only from opposition parties but also from within the NCP. Party member Rupali Thombare Patil alleged that Chakankar had failed to act on complaints against Kharat during her tenure.
Chakankar's Defense and Future Actions
Speaking to the media, Chakankar defended her actions, stating, "I have sent in my resignation letter to allow for a transparent probe. My family believed in Kharat as a guru, and we have been present at his guru purnima functions. We did not know anything about the personal allegations against him."
She expressed shock upon learning about the case, emphasizing, "What happened is wrong and terrible. We do not support it, and police need to probe it impartially." Chakankar admitted to being part of the temple trust, initially as its Maharashtra chief and later as a member, but clarified that the trust's tenure ended in August 2025.
Regarding the controversial images, she explained, "The videos and photos shown are old. My husband and I both washed Kharat's feet during a guru purnima function." She also noted that the commission had acted promptly on complaints against another member of Kharat's trust last year.
In a firm stance against her critics, Chakankar announced, "I will be filing defamation cases against those who made false allegations against me." This move indicates her intention to legally challenge the accusations while navigating the fallout from the scandal.
The resignation marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra's political landscape, highlighting the intersection of personal associations and public office responsibilities. As investigations into Kharat's case proceed, the implications for Chakankar's political career and the broader NCP remain to be seen.
