MUMBAI, March 22 -- After the resignation of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW), the Opposition is demanding action against the "political devotees" of Ashok Kharat - ministers associated with the self-styled godman. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is also demanding that Chakankar, who headed a trust run by Kharat, be made a co-accused in the case, for her proximity to Kharat. Kharat, arrested on March 18 on charges of rape, is known to be close to prominent politicians, businessmen and celebrities in the state. Photos and videos have since surfaced on social media, showing top Mahayuti leaders with the self-styled godman. Among these is the close aide of a former Shiv Sena minister. Sources said the special investigation team (SIT) probing Kharat is looking into the aide's deals in Sinnar in Nashik district, from where Kharat hails. The aide allegedly knows Kharat and was involved in property deals in Nashik, particularly in Sinnar. Also, political sources say it was the former minister who allegedly introduced deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, then chief minister, to Kharat. It was at the minister's insistence that Shinde visited and worshipped at a temple built by Kharat in Nashik two years ago. Photographs have since emerged on social media, showing Shinde along with his wife, Lata, and two cabinet ministers - Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Deepak Kesarkar - visiting the temple in Nashik. Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat said Kharat is being probed and the government will take appropriate action. "Photographs of Kharat with many prominent leaders have surfaced, but that doesn't mean those individuals have links with him." On Saturday, leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) launched a coordinated attack on the Mahayuti government, demanding accountability from ministers whose photographs with Kharat have surfaced. Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accused the government of failing to act against those associated with the godman, alleging that Kharat had exploited several women and promoted superstitious practices among political leaders. "Maharashtra has a law against superstition and now we see that those expected to implement it were involved in Ashok Kharat's superstitious activities. Action against Kharat is not enough; his political devotees too must not be spared," said Thackeray, alluding to photographs of senior leaders without naming anyone. Describing the controversy as "Maharashtra's Epstein Files", he cautioned against attempts to divert attention from the issue as the investigation progresses. Aaditya Thackeray pointed out that several ministers had been seen with Kharat and called for an inquiry into their roles. "The chief minister should conduct an inquiry into these ministers. There are around eight or nine such ministers and all of them should be removed from the cabinet," he said. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said Chakankar's resignation alone was insufficient and demanded a deeper probe into the political links of the accused. He called for examination of call detail records of ministers and leaders seen with Kharat, alleging that the godman had amassed significant wealth through his connections. Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare also demanded that Chakankar be made a co-accused. Deputy chief minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar on Saturday forwarded Chakankar's resignation to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action. In a statement posted on social media, Pawar said, "I have received the resignation of Rupali Chakankar, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. She has decided to step down from her post in light of the current circumstances and the ongoing inquiry. To ensure that this inquiry is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, I am forwarding her resignation to the Chief Minister for further necessary action." It has also emerged that the MVA government in 2020 had approved the allocation of water from the Darna Dam in Nashik to the Shri Shivnika Sansthan in Mirgaon, a trust run by Kharat. A government resolution issued on July 31, 2020. Water conservation minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the water supply to the trust would be stopped immediately. He added that an inquiry would determine who had directed the diversion of water for the temple trust in Sinnar....