After the final rites of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is facing serious questions about its future and leadership. Supporters believe this would help keep Ajit Pawar’s political legacy within the family and provide emotional stability to the party. They feel that her elevation could help unite the cadre and reassure workers who are still coming to terms with Ajit Pawar’s absence. His good working relationship with the BJP leadership has helped keep the Ajit Pawar faction relevant within the NDA. Whether the NCP chooses emotion in Sunetra Pawar or experience in Praful Patel will become clear in the days ahead.