MAULVI ABUL KASEM FAZLUL HAQ

Maulvi Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq was born on October 27, 1873 in Barisal District He studied at the Calcutta University and started his career as a Professor; but in 1906 joined Government Service as Deputy Magistrate. In 1911 he resigned from his job and rejoined the Bar and was elected unopposed Member of the Bengal Legislative Council in 1913. In 1914, he presided over the Bengal Presidency Muslim League. From 1913 to 1916 he served in Bengal Provincial Muslim League as its Secretary and from 1916-21 he was the President of All India Muslim League. He also presided over the All India Muslim League Delhi Session in 1918. He was one of the signatories to the I-Lucknow Pact.

In 1935. he became the Mayor ofCalcutt2. From 1935 to 1937 he was a Member of Indian Legislative Assembly. In 1937, he left the Muslim League and founded his own political party 'Krishak Praja Party' (peasant Tenant Party). In the elections held in the same year, he won 35 seats in a house of 250. In April 1937 .he became the Chief Minister of Bengal.

When Quaid-e-Azam reorganised the Muslim League, Fazlul Haq rejoined the fold and presented the 'Pakistan Resolution' in the historic Lahore Session of the Muslim League in 1940.

In 1943. he resigned from the Chief Ministership of Bengal and became Leader of the Opposition.

After Independence, he became the Advocate General of the Government of Pakistan. In 1953, he resigned from this post and also from the Muslim League. He formed 'Krishak Sramik Party' (peasants Workers Party), which was one of the constituent parties of the 'United Front'. On April 2, 1954, he became the Chief Minister of East Pakistan as the Leader of 'United Front party'. In 1955, he became Interior Minister of Pakistan and took active and leading part in framing the First Constitution of Pakistan. In 1956, he was appointed the Governor of East Pakistan for one term.

He died in Dhaka on Apri127, 1962 after prolonged illness.