Giorgi Chanturia

Although Gamsakhurdia and Chanturia did not agree on how to deal with the secessionist demands of the Ossetians, they were both more opposed to the Communists and continuing membership of the USSR.

In the 1990 elections the umbrella Round Table-Free Georgia bloc led by Gamsakhurdia and Chanturia won 54% of the vote.

Gamsakhurdia refused to compromise, and his troops forcibly dispersed a large opposition rally in Tbilisi on 2 September 1991.

Observers pointed out the increasing popularity of the late Chanturia and his party, and the fact that recently late NDP chairman had severely criticized several major political figures: the leader of the Mkhedrioni, MP Jaba Ioseliani, Defense Minister Vardiko Nadibaidze and State Security Minister Igor Giorgadze.

While Ioseliani was accused of running Georgia as a Mafia godfather, two ministers had been mentioned as promoting Russian rather than Georgian national interests.