 A number of "squadristi" leaders voiced opposition to Mussolini’s leadership and plastered posters in the city of Bologna, denouncing “Mussolini as a traitor to Fascism,” Some "squadristi" paramilitary units completely abandoned Mussolini's Fascist Revolutionary Party (PFR) and his "fasci" movement.There were secret anti-Mussolini meetings that fixated on “Mussolini’s lingering leftist loyalties,” which included his leadership of the Italian Socialist Party (1912–1914) and his admiration for Vladimir Lenin.According to historian Richard Pipes, during this turbulent times of infighting, “Mussolini would have been glad as late as 1920–21 to take under his wing the Italian Communists, for which he had great affinities.”

Many prominent "ras" pushed for new leadership, lending their support to Gabriele D’Annunzio to “replace Mussolini.” Grandi and Balbo sought an audience with radical nationalist D’Annunzio in August 1921, and offered him a position to lead the "squadristi" in an “insurrectionary march on Rome.” D’Annunzio was vague about in his reply.