in 1944, bodnăraș (together with iosif rangheț and constantin pîrvulescu) was a key participant in the political elimination and physical isolation of ștefan foriș, the general secretary of the party. the three of them dominated the leadership of the party until dej's escape from prison, in august of the same year. after the massive bombing of bucharest on 4 april 1944, bodnăraș and rangheț captured foriș and forced him to sign his deposition at gunpoint.