A viral video involving a sitting Maharashtra minister from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has ignited a fresh political controversy, exposing internal strains within the party and the state’s ruling coalition. The footage, shared widely on social media this week, shows NCP minister Narhari Zirwal in a compromising interaction with a trans person, prompting sharp criticism from opposition parties and renewed scrutiny of the NCP’s leadership during a turbulent period for the party.

The video’s release comes at a sensitive time for the NCP, which has been struggling with leadership challenges since the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar earlier in 2026, a key figure in the Ajit Pawar‑led faction of the party. Opposition lawmakers have seized on the incident to demand Zirwal’s dismissal, describing his behaviour as “obscene” and unbecoming of a public office‑holder. The controversy has amplified ongoing perceptions of instability and declining authority within the NCP ranks.

Zirwal’s case is not the first recent scandal to hit the party. In preceding months, two other ministers from the NCP — Dhananjay Munde and Manikrao Kokate — resigned amid separate allegations relating to corruption and controversial statements. A third prominent figure, Rupali Chakankar, stepped down as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission after her ties to a high‑profile sexual exploitation case surfaced earlier this year.

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The cumulative effect of these events has raised questions about governance and discipline within the NCP, particularly as it functions as an ally within the Mahayuti coalition government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Critics say the recurring controversies reflect poorly on the alliance and could weaken its public standing ahead of future elections.

Opposition leaders have called for stronger accountability mechanisms and more rigorous ethical standards for elected representatives. They argue that such incidents erode public trust in democratic institutions and detract from the government’s legislative agenda at a time when the state faces pressing economic and social challenges.

For its part, the NCP has not yet formally disciplined Zirwal pending further review, and party officials have largely declined to comment on the specifics of the video. As the controversy continues to unfold, it underscores broader debates over political culture and leadership integrity in Maharashtra’s complex coalition politics.

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