The abolition of Article 6 put the political organs in a difficult position, since they were obliged to justify their existence now that the CPSU theoretically had abandoned its monopoly of power. Some officers attack the MPA indirectly, calling for the reactivation of the primary party cells in the army, which they claim have been crushed by the tyranny of the political organs. The MPA is accused of being an overblown hierarchy that interferes in everything and seeks to maintain its power by arrogating to itself the right to dispense benefits such as apartments and kindergarten places. Proposals have been made to make the low-level political organs elective, while abolishing the upper rungs of the hierarchy, i.e., the bodies at military region and army level. Podziruk finds that the political organs fulfill no valid function.
Sentiment is now strong in the army for the complete elimination of party bodies from the army.
Among prominent political figures, Yel'tsin has proposed the abolition of the party cells in the army, as well as in the KGB and state administrative organs. During the 28th Congress, Gorbachev advocated the preservation of the party organs in the armed forces, while adding that other officially registered parties could also be represented. But if the severing of the link between the political organs and the party apparatus is accepted, it is clear that the result will be the disappearance of these bodies in the not too distant future. Finally, a debate on fundamental military reform, particularly the future nature of the armed forces, has further polarized the army. The creation of new institutions and organizations, such as the Defense and State Security Committee, has helped bring the military debate into the public arena.