First Huq ministry
First Ministry of A. K. Fazlul Huq | |
|---|---|
 1st Cabinet of Bengal Province | |
| 1937–1941 | |
| Date formed | 1 April 1937 |
| Date dissolved | 11 December 1941 |
| People and organisations | |
Governor | |
Chief Minister | A. K. Fazlul Huq |
No. of ministers | 10 |
Ministers removed | 2 |
Total no. of members | 12 |
Member party | |
Status in legislature | Majority 138 / 250 (55%) |
Opposition party | |
Opposition leader | Sarat Chandra Bose |
| History | |
| Election | 1937 |
| Legislature term | 1st Bengal Legislative Assembly |
| Predecessor | Anderson |
| Successor | Huq II |
The first Huq ministry, also known as the Huq–Nazimuddin ministry, was the first cabinet formed in the Bengal Province, British India. It was formed in 1937 under the leadership of provincial prime minister A. K. Fazlul Huq, leader of the Krishak Praja Party (KPP), and remained in office until 1941, when it was succeeded by the Second Huq ministry.
Background
[edit]In the 1937 provincial election, no party succeeded in obtaining a majority in Bengal. On the eve of the opening session of the Bengal Legislative Assembly, the Indian National Congress (INC) decided that if it failed to secure a majority in the assembly, it would not participate in the formation of a provincial ministry and would refrain from supporting any party in the assembly. On the other hand, although the INC initially promised to support the Krishak Praja Party (KPP) in forming a ministry in exchange for the implementation of some programme, this understanding later broke down. As a result, KPP leader A. K. Fazlul Huq was compelled to form a coalition ministry with the Bengal Provincial Muslim League (BPML), the KPP's rival.[1]
Fate
[edit]Due to ideological differences between the BPML and the KPP, as well as the rise of communal politics, a rift gradually developed between Huq and the BPML. At the request of the British authorities, he joined the National Defence Council, which led to a conflict with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, president of the All-India Muslim League (AIML). As a result, Huq was expelled from the AIML's central working committee, and on 1 December 1941, the BPML members resigned from his cabinet. Subsequently, Huq formed another ministry.[1]
Members
[edit]The cabinet consisted of the following ministers:[2]
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister's Office | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | KPP | ||
| Home Department | 1 April 1937 | 1 December 1941 | AIML | ||
| Revenue Department | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | Independent | ||
| Department of Public Health, Medical and Local Self-Government | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | AIML | ||
| Communications and Public Works Department | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | Independent | ||
| Finance, Commerce and Labour Department | 1 April 1937 | 1 December 1941 | AIML | ||
| Judicial and Legislative Department | 1 April 1937 | 1 December 1941 | AIML | ||
| Forests and Excise Department | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | Independent | ||
| Co-operation, Credit and Rural Indebtedness Department | 1 April 1937 | 11 December 1941 | KPP | ||
| Agriculture and Industries Department | 17 November 1938 | 1 December 1941 | KPP | ||
Former members
[edit]The following is a list of former members of the cabinet:[3]
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Department | 1 April 1937 | 1939 | |
| Department of Public Health, Medical and Local Self-Government | 1 April 1937 | 16 November 1938 |
References
[edit]- 1 2 Dutt, Satya Vrata (2002). বাংলার বিধানসভার একশো বছর রাজানুগত্য থেকে গণতন্ত্র (in Bengali). Kolkata: Progressive Publishers. pp. 128–147.
- ↑ The Bengal Civil List (Published annually). Government of Bengal. 1941. p. 2.
- ↑ The Bengal Civil List (Published annually). Government of Bengal. 1939. p. 2.