So we had to start a compaign among our workers in the district, that we must have this man. we put some sort of pressure on our district leaders, but the district leaders were rather reluctant . So we had to go to the State leaders. Those were Jedhe, N. V. Gadgil and Shankarrao Deo. But they were more influenced by the district leaders than by us. We were new people. We had no social status of belonging to landed proprietor class or highly respectable profession like that of lawyers. I was a college student at that time. I was doing my B. A. Ultimately, I had to go to Sardar Patel. You will be surprised to know that when the struggle started and we thought that the leaders were not supporting us, our team selected me to go and meet Sarder Patel because I was, amongst them, a more articulate person and a little courageous, who could go and meet anybody and tall so I went and met Sardar Patel and explained to him the reasons behind our demand: This was a new phase in the congress movement in our district and in the State. ( So I said :) If you don't change the character and composition of candidates, you would be failing the people. He did not say yes or no, but he heard me for about ten minutes or so, and I think in spite of all pressure on him at that time in Bombay, he must have put a word because after a week or so, when we met our district leaders and State leaders, their approach had changed so I Personally feel that sardar patel must have carried :
why not this man? It is very creditable for Sardar Patel.
Sharma : And he ws chairman of the Parliamentary Board.
Chavan : He was a very powerful man, It was surprising, when I wanted to meet Sardar Patel; he allowed me to meet him and heard me for ten/fifteen minutes. although I was an unknown Congress worker in khadi by jams, coming from rural India.
Sharma : What impression did he make on you the first impression ?
Chavan : He was very impressive and willing to listen and understand a man.
Sharma : A man of few words.
Chavan : Very few words. But he listened to me, did not try to interrupt me or ask any counter questions. He asked some preliminary questions only like. What do you do? where do you come from? Where were you in jail?
