 Sarsenbayev had been active in the formation of the “Coordinating Council of Democratic Forces,” an alliance including the Communist Party and the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement.Apparently this dispute caused the split in Ak Zhol Party.The party's co-leaders were Bulat Abilov, Altynbek Sarsenbaev, Oraz Zhandosov, and Tulegen Zhukeyev until Sarsenbayev was murdered.