NCP leader Rupali Chakankar resigned as the party’s women’s wing chief on Friday night. The move comes a week after she stepped down as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission amid the Ashok Kharat scandal. Chakankar defended herself and called for a fair probe.
In a swift political fallout from the Ashok Kharat scandal, NCP leader Rupali Chakankar resigned as the party’s women’s wing chief on Friday night, just a week after quitting as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission.
Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat was arrested in Nashik on charges of sexual assault and rape. Photographs have emerged showing Chakankar’s proximity to him, prompting intervention from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who directed her resignation from the commission post last week.
Announcing her decision on social media, Chakankar stated she had “no connection, direct or indirect” with Kharat’s alleged financial dealings or misconduct. She urged authorities to ensure a fair probe.
Opposition leaders have intensified demands for the Special Investigation Team to question Chakankar over purported financial links to Kharat. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare released additional photographs on Friday showing Chakankar and Kharat in meetings with industry department officials.
The back-to-back resignations highlight the mounting pressure on Chakankar amid the controversy.
