(1) Exploitation of Farmers (2) Lack of education and need to spread it (3) Social and religious injustice that was prevailing (4) Removal of untouchability. Chavan says that these thoughts of Mahatma Phule are radical (Pages No. 34, 35, Krishna Kaath).
Chavan tried his best to fulfil the aims of Mahatma Phule and Shahu when he came in power and he used congress for the same. Though Chavan never agreed that he was the direct follower of Mahatma Phule and Shahu still he was the leader of masses after Shahu whose efforts caused the masses to make all sided progress. He showed the drawbacks of Satyashodhak movement (which was movincial one) and they were also correct. Maharshi Shinde also brought into notice several drawbacks which developed in Non-Brahmin movement. Still both were truth seekers.
Chavan accepted Congress and captured it for the benefit of masses. This political thought of Maharshi Shinde Chavan brought into practice. Now India is a free nation. Chavan gained control on Maharashtra Congress but he could not exercise the same influence on all provinces. Therefore his inner ambitions to be the 'Prime Minister of India' could not be achieved.
His biographer Shri. Rambhau Joshi called him 'A page of history' (India). But Chavan covered many pages of the History of modern and united Maharashtra which he gained only through the National Congress of Nehru. I don't want to give secondary place to the efforts and influence exercised by the 'Sanyukta Maharashtra Samitee'. Chavan had to digest severe criticism of non-congress parties. But he regained the strength of congress and became the first Chief Minister of new Maharashtra. This was a striking success.
He was above castes and creed from his students life. He admitted the work done for the spread of education by Shahu Maharaj; but he declined to live in the Maratha Boarding started by Shahu Maharaj. Public life of Yashwantrao began when he was a student. He was self made truth seeker.