Backward Class Support for Telugu Desam Intact

others on the issue of the zilla parishad elections, he does not seem to be in a mood to concede their demand that Chavan be replaced immediately to save the state Con- gress(I) from further factionalism and possibly a vertical organisational split. This has disconcerted Pawar and Patil, Now that the zilla parishad elections have been put off. will the state Congress(I) remain reasonably united under Chavan's stewardship after Chavan is granted permission by the prime minister to expand his council of ministers? Chavan has more than once conceded to his close followers in the government and the party that there is no alternative to Sharad Pawar in the state Con- gress(I). Chavan has even said that he expected to be chief minister till 1989 and not beyond. But he wants to stay in power until he has secured firm assurances from Sharad Pawar in regard to the political future of his son, Ashok, who is now an MP and that of a number of his dose followers in the party like Babasaheb Vikhe-Patil, MP and sugar co-operative chieftain.