Московский комсомолец
Masherov was mentioned as a possible candidate for multiple positions. Prior to his death, he was a candidate member of the Politburo; it has been stated by some, such as the "Washington Post" that he was intended to become Premier following the death of his mentor, Kosygin. More radically, it has been suggested by "Moskovskij Komsomolets" that Masherov was intended to be a possible successor to Brezhnev as General Secretary of the CPSU, backed up by a reformist "Komsomol Group" which also included Mikhail Zimyanin. The alleged group was opposed to the Dnipropetrovsk Mafia, Brezhnev's clique within the CPSU. However, others dispute this, including Masherov's sister, Olga, saying that Brezhnev and Masherov maintained an amicable relationship, both politically and personally.