The remainder of the Communist Party of Lithuania ('on platform of Communist Party of the Soviet Union') existed in 1990–91 under leadership of Mykolas Burokevičius after the "traditional" party declared independence from its Soviet Union counterpart. The party played a major role in the January 1991 Events in Lithuania and initiating the creation of the National Salvation Committee. The Communist Party of Lithuania was eventually banned on 23 August 1991. The party remains illegal in Lithuania, and is affiliated with the Union of Communist Parties — Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU) headed by Gennady Zyuganov.