WORLD : Gorbachev Critic Gains Ground

MOSCOW — A hard-line critic of Mikhail S. Gorbachev received the most votes today for chief of the Russian republic’s Communist Party despite reformers’ warnings that his selection could destroy the party.

A runoff was to be held later today between the Gorbachev critic, Ivan Polozkov, and Oleg Lobov, a last-minute, more moderate addition to the slate. The results are not expected to be known until Saturday.

In the first round of voting at the Congress of Russian Communists, Polozkov received 1,017 votes and Lobov 848. A candidate needs 50% of the 2,700 delegates to win.

Vyacheslav Bragin, a Communist Party chief from Kalinin, told the congress earlier today: “If we elect Polozkov, it will mean the sunset of the party.”

Many delegates reacted to Bragin’s speech, which also criticized the military, with derisive whistles. Gorbachev, who presided over the proceedings, quieted the delegates down but also rebuked Bragin for fostering confrontation.