The structural cracks within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have widened into a high-stakes battle for organisational control following the untimely demise of former national president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. 

Admitting to the massive political vacuum, NCP National Working President and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Praful Patel said on Monday said that while it is difficult to fill the void left by Pawar, the party must take "corrective steps" to remain relevant in both state and national politics, news agency IANS reported.