Pune: Rupali Chakankar Responds to Mankar’s Resignation, Defends Her Position

Pune, 17th October 2024: Even before the announcement of assembly elections in the state, the opportunity for MLAs appointed by the Governor has raised many eyebrows. From the names suggested by the current grand coalition government, seven were selected from the Governor’s quota for appointed MLAs. Among them are two leaders from the Shiv Sena (Shinde group), two from the NCP (Ajit Pawar group), and three from the BJP. However, following the election of these MLAs, some party leaders have resigned from their posts, expressing their displeasure.

Deepak Mankar, the city president of Ajit Pawar’s NCP in Pune, resigned from his position and directly criticized both Ajit Pawar and Rupali Chakankar. In response, Rupali Chakankar addressed Deepak Mankar’s statements, mentioning that if the NCP had three seats in the Governor’s quota, she would have become an MLA.

The appointments of Governor-appointed Legislative Council MLAs had been pending for several months, capturing the attention of all political parties and leaders. Finally, before the assembly elections were announced on Tuesday, the parties in the Grand Alliance submitted seven names to the governor. After the Governor approved the seven members, Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe administered the oath of office to them. This situation has sparked discontent among aspiring leaders.

Deepak Mankar publicly expressed his displeasure, questioning why he did not receive a chance and why Rupali Chakankar consistently did. He remarked, “You give strength to that activist who is with you 24 hours a day; why not us?”

Rupali Chakankar responded to Mankar’s resignation, stating, “I stood by Mankar as a sister when he was appointed city president. But I don’t know why he did this.” She refrained from elaborating further on the issue. Chakankar added that if the Nationalist Congress Party had secured three seats in the Governor’s appointed MLAs’ quota, she would have obtained an MLA position as a woman. However, since they received only two seats, she expressed hope for future consideration and noted, “Thanks to the Mahayuti government, I have once again been appointed chairperson of the Women’s Commission.”