Mumbai: Rupali Chakankar has resigned from government and party posts in the wake of criticism over her relationship with astrologer Ashok Kharat, who is facing rape allegations against several women. She submitted her resignation as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Maharashtra women’s wing on Friday. “After discussing with Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP president Sunetra Pawar, I submitted my resignation as the state president of the NCP women’s wing,” the ex-post said.
Meanwhile, Rupali resigned from the post of Maharashtra State Women’s Commission President on March 20 after Ashok Kharat’s links with the temple trust came to light. She also handed over her resignation letter to Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar on the instructions of CM Fadnavis. She said that she had nothing to do with Ashok Kharat’s financial affairs or the allegations against him.
On the other hand, a woman has accused Ashok Kharat, the head of a temple trust and a renowned astrologer in Mirgaon, Nashik district, of raping her for the last three years. The investigating police seized digital devices. Videos of sexual acts with about 58 women were found on a pen drive. With this, Ashok Kharat, who is also a former captain of the Merchant Navy, was arrested by the police on March 18. A total of eight cases have been registered against him so far.
