Folnegović advocated cooperation or merger with the Independent People's Party and strengthening of Croatia's position within Austria-Hungary.

Namely, Folnegović adopted some elements of Yugoslavism as a part of his political views, while Frank and his adherents known as the Frankists rejected the ideology completely.

The break between the two culminated when Folnegović distanced the party from violence at the occasion of the 1895 visit by Emperor Franz Joseph to Zagreb—which involved Frank's sons Vladimir and Ivo.

[4] In that respect their Folnegović's and Frank's positions differed from political views held by Ante Starčević expressed before the Rakovica revolt.

In that respect, Frank became particularly engaged with construction of the Starčevićev dom [hr] building in Zagreb, hoping to curry favour with the party founder.

Ante Starčević was its president, but due to his illness and absence from day-to-day work, Folnegović was in control of the party as the elected vice-president.

Furthermore, Folnegović ensured that his opponents Mile Starčević and Frank were left out, or appointed to lower-tier positions in the committee, as was the case with Eugen Kumičić.

At the same time, Folnegović helped Trumbić and Frano Supilo who supported his political views to become full members of the committee.

Frank remained the main opponent of Folnegović, accusing the Central Committee of being a device of betrayal of the Party of Rights.

[12] The immediate cause for the split was Folnegović's speech in which he distanced the party from violence at the occasion of the 1895 visit by Emperor Franz Joseph to Zagreb.