Ajit Pawar was a mass leader and an able administrator. Without him, his family members - Sunetra, Parth, and Jay Pawar - lack the firm grip on the organisation. The death of Ajit Pawar has reopened questions over the party's leadership, its political alignment and the future of several members of Maharashtra's most influential political family. NCP merger speculation has returned after a series of meetings, but no deal is confirmed.