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Two staff members of the Maryland Republican Party have left, and the top officers of the GOP said they want the chairman to explain why, or resign.

Chairman James Pelura III asked for Executive Director Justin Ready's resignation Monday morning. Events coordinator April Rose tendered her resignation, according to Chris Cavey, the party's first vice chairman.

The actions follow a series of events that have shook the party. House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell and House Minority Whip Christopher B. Shank wrote the party's executive committee to rein in Pelura's critical comments of Republican lawmakers.

Then last week, Pelura suddenly canceled a candidate education forum scheduled for later this month.

Cavey said the executive committee, made up of 31 of the party's top leaders, met last week.

"There was no inkling of any personnel problems. No inkling of any pending firings. No inkling of anything," Cavey said.

After receiving word of the departures, Cavey said the party's top seven elected officials have asked Pelura to convene an executive committee meeting.

"We have asked for either Jim to account for the action or to resign," Cavey said.

By GOP bylaws, Pelura doesn't have to call the meeting. If he doesn't, it would take two-thirds of the executive committee to force one, Cavey said.

Louis M. Pope, the party's national committeeman, said he believed Ready never submitted a letter.

"Mr. Pelura has taken on himself to make numerous decisions without either consulting or informing the other elected officers of the party," Pope said.

"The goal of all of the elected members of the party should be working together, seeking each other's counsel toward building a stronger Republican party, registering Republican voters and electing Republican candidates. Period," Pope said.