Rupali Chakankar Resigns As NCP Women’s Wing Chief Over Astrologer Scandal

Last Updated:March 28, 2026, 10:04 IST

Chakankar said she spoke with deputy chief minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar and subsequently submitted her resignation.

Rupali Chakankar on Friday stepped down as the state president of the NCP’s women wing amid criticism over her alleged association with arrested astrologer Ashok Kharat. The resignation came a week after she had already quit her position as chairperson of the state women’s commission.

Chakankar said she spoke with deputy chief minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar earlier in the day and subsequently submitted her resignation.

Taking to X, she wrote: “On the first day of the Kharat case coming to light, I have made my stand clear (about the case). I am not even remotely connected with his financial transaction or evil deed. During the course of investigation, all the facts will come out but it is painful to see some baseless allegations are being made against me."

She also said she had asked the authorities to ensure a fair investigation. “I have already conveyed to the chief minister, deputy chief minister and Director General of Police that the investigation of Kharat’s case should be conducted in an impartial manner," she wrote.

Several NCP office-bearers from Nashik, Ahilyanagar and other districts had written to Sunetra Pawar seeking Chakankar’s removal as the state women’s wing chief. They alleged that her “association" with the astrologer was harming the party’s image.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare also made allegations against Chakankar, claiming that she had earlier absolved music director Anu Malik in a sexual harassment case and that her son later appeared in a film linked to him.

“Anu Malik was given a clean chit. After that, Soham Chakankar, Rupali Chakankar’s son, got work in a film by Anu Malik’s production," Andhare alleged.

Malik denied the claim, stating he had not offered any work to Chakankar’s son. He said he had first received a clean chit from the National Commission for Women and later from the Maharashtra Women’s Commission.

Maintaining that he had done nothing wrong, the music director said, “I have not given any work and done no favours to anyone. There was no role given to any person (as alleged by Andhare)."

(With inputs from PTI)

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