Shankarrao Chavan was appointed as Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the first time on 21 February 1975, replacing Vasantrao Naik.

[2][3] After Congress securing a supermajority in 1972 legislative elections, the incumbent chief minister Vasantrao Naik had continued in his office.

Chavan resigned in April 1977, after Congress lost several Lok Sabha seats in 1977 Indian general election, and was replaced by his irrigation minister, Vasantdada Patil.

[7] His son, Ashok Chavan served in the same office between 2008 and 2010.

Three of his ministers - Vasantdada Patil, A. R. Antulay, and Sharad Pawar - later served as Maharashtra chief ministers; while Pratibha Patil was elected President of India from 2007 to 2012.