 After a split in 1997, AVKP broke into two different parties both named "United Communist Party of Azerbaijan", one led by Sayadov and the other led by the Baku City Party Committee Musa Tukanov.The bulk of United Communists sided with Tukanov, who replaced Sayadov as leader at a congress in 1998.Nonetheless, the Justice Ministry recognizes Sayadov as leader.