Sharma : Did you mastermind any technique in Atmaram Patil's election?
Chavan : It is not masterminding, but there was a keen interest in my mind to work for him. I was prepared to go to the people by any means and talk to them about our symbol. Some different methods were practiced in other parts of the district also. As I could not cover the whole district. I started in my own way. I had allotted one tahsil for me and started working. I prepared the young people in the village, telling them about the new role of the Congress, new leadership that was coming up in th districts and its significane. The young people took up the election in their own hands.
Normally otherwise, the establishment in every village used to guide the election. But this time we started organising the younger people who had no orientation of self-interest in the election. Because in those days, the so-called leaders, who beloged to the propertied class, supported the Government or the Government-party, used to spend money, keep the voters on previous night at some place. They were also fighting against us. But had no means to do these things. Therefore, we had to mobilise people's support for election.
Sharma : You made up that with your work.
Chavan : With hard work. I was one of them. one very important part of the campaign was to get Congres ticket for Atmaram Patil and get him accepted as a Congress candidate. The second part was to campaign against the old established leadership in the rural areas, and it took quite some time. In that also, I had played a very important role.
Sharma : Did he play an active role in the Assembly after his election?
Chavan : Yes, he did in his own way. I would not say it was a very prominent role, but he did play a rol.
