Maker of New Maharashtra :
Chavan gained the confidence of the upper middle class living in cities and towns. And due to him, previous bitterness between Brahmins and Non-Brahmins almost, vanished. Credit goes to Chavan and in this special sense, he can be aptly called the new Maker of Modern Maharashtra.
In his first public address as the Chief Minister of Samyukta Maharashtra at the Sachivalaya function, he said "Some people are unduly anxious about the nature of the new 'Raj', will it be 'Marathi' or a Maratha Raj? I would like to declare unequivocally that it would be "Marathi Raj". He kept the promise and all were given chances to work in Cabinet Minister and even Chief Ministers. For instance Vasantrao Naik was Chief Minister for a long period.
Depressed Classes and Chavan :
Gandhi started his Harijan movement in 1933. Chavan was also influenced by this movement and he started one school for depressed class boys. He went to see Maharshi Shinde. He was quite young. Shinde accepted his invitation to come to Karad and give lecture. Shinde came to Karad and Vithabai, the mother of Yashwant welcomed him. Chavan and his mother was above all sorts of class and caste distinctions and both were Anti untouchability. Shinde was very much happy and he delivered a lecture and visited school conducted by Shri. Chavan. Questions and answers that took place in the residence of Shri Shinde in Poona still throws light on the progressive social nature of young Chavan who was highly impressed by the saintly & spiritual personality of Maharshi Shinde, though he had very little time to pay attention to the Anti-untouchability movement due to his main political career.
He himself saw one "Morcha" of Depressed Class people approaching to see Mr. Kher, the then Chief Minister in 1948. No doubt Kher welcomed Morcha but he actually did nothing. "Mahar Vatan Bill" was first submitted in 1922 and then in 1937. But it was not passed by the Bombay Council for both the times. Dr. Ambedkar was trying to get the Bill passed. At last in 1958 when the Chavan was Chief Minister one Act named 'Bombay Inferior Village Vatans Abolition' was passed. Also the 'Vatan Lands' was permanently granted to Mahar community and they became the owners.
Chavan continued to support seats that were constitutionally granted eventhough Mahar Community accepted Buddha Dharm. He granted land on which the followers of Dr. Ambedkar took the vow of embracing Buddha Dharm in Nagpur.
Chavan tried his best to create co-operation between Congress Party and Republican Party. He gave proper share to Depressed Classes so that they can enter in Government services.