The recent resignation of Rupali Chakankar as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women marks the third notable exit from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fold or associated positions in the past 15 months, spotlighting ongoing turbulence within the ruling Mahayuti alliance partner and drawing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis deeper into the internal affairs of ally NCP.
Chakankar, who also serves as the state president of the NCP's women's wing, submitted her resignation on March 20, 2026 (or late March 21 depending on reports), following a meeting with Fadnavis. Sources indicate the Chief Minister directly asked her to step down, deeming her position untenable amid controversy. The issue stems from her association with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who was arrested in connection with allegations including sexual assault. Videos and reports linking Chakankar to Kharat prompted scrutiny, leading to the resignation decision "in view of the prevailing situation and the ongoing inquiry."
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP faction following the demise of Ajit Pawar earlier in 2026, forwarded Chakankar's resignation letter to Fadnavis for acceptance and further action. Pawar emphasized that the move was Chakankar's own, in light of the circumstances.
This development follows two prior significant NCP-related exits in the Mahayuti government:
- In December 2025, NCP minister Manikrao Kokate resigned from the Maharashtra Cabinet after a court upheld his conviction in a decades-old cheating and forgery case related to a 1995 housing quota scam. Kokate's resignation was accepted by Fadnavis, with then-NCP leader Ajit Pawar (before his death) forwarding it. This came after Fadnavis reportedly nudged the process.
- An earlier NCP ministerial resignation occurred around March 2025 (as referenced in reports counting Kokate as the second in 2025), involving another leader amid separate issues.
The pattern of these exits—spanning ministerial portfolios and key organizational roles—has fueled perceptions of instability in the NCP, which has faced leadership challenges since Ajit Pawar's sudden death in January 2026. That event created a vacuum, shifted dynamics under Sunetra Pawar, and sparked speculation about factional mergers or further churn within the NCP.
Fadnavis's direct intervention in Chakankar's case—meeting her personally and requesting the resignation—has once again positioned him as a key arbiter in his ally's internal matters. Critics view this as the BJP-led government stepping into NCP's domain to safeguard the coalition's image and governance stability, especially ahead of upcoming local body polls where Mahayuti unity is under test. Allies have occasionally treated NCP as a "third wheel" in seat-sharing discussions, adding to the friction.
NCP sources maintain that such resignations uphold accountability and ethical standards in public life. However, the sequence of departures has intensified questions about the faction's cohesion and its bargaining power within the Mahayuti alliance, now dominated by BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.
Fadnavis's office has not issued a detailed public comment on the latest resignation, but acceptance is expected as a formality. The episode underscores the delicate balance in Maharashtra's ruling coalition, where internal ally pressures continue to require the Chief Minister's hands-on involvement.
For More News Updates Follow Us On www.tconews.in
