Third Sarkar ministry (1958)

Third Ministry of Abu Hussain Sarkar

8th Cabinet of East Pakistan
1958
Date formed20 June 1958 (1958-06-20)
Date dissolved23 June 1958 (1958-06-23)
People and organisations
GovernorSultanuddin Ahmad
Chief MinisterAbu Hussain Sarkar
No. of ministers3
Total no. of members3
Member party
  •   KSP
  •   UPP
Status in legislatureMinority
138 / 307 (45%)
Opposition party
Opposition leaderAtaur Rahman Khan
History
Election1954
Outgoing election1946
Legislature term2nd East Pakistan Legislative Assembly
PredecessorSecond Ataur ministry
SuccessorThird Ataur ministry

The Third Sarkar ministry was the eighth cabinet formed in East Pakistan, Pakistan’s eastern province. It was formed under the leadership of Abu Hussain Sarkar of the Krishak Sramik Party following the fall of the Second Ataur ministry, and it lasted for three days, after which it was replaced by the Third Ataur ministry.

Background

In 18 June 1958, the Second Ataur ministry led by the All-Pakistan Awami League (AL) fell as a result of a no-confidence vote brought by the opposition parties of the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly, including the Krishak Sramik Party (KSP). In the vote, the total support for the ruling party and its supporting factions was 126, while the opposition parties received a total of 138 votes. The National Awami Party (NAP) abstained from participating in the no-confidence vote.[1] The following day, the provincial governor Sultanuddin Ahmad proposed KSP leader Abu Hussain Sarkar to form a new cabinet, and he accepted the proposal.[2] As a result, on 20 June, a new three-member cabinet was sworn in under the leadership of Sarkar. It was later intended, upon further discussion, that the number of cabinet members would be increased.[3]

Fall and aftermath

On the day the cabinet was formed, an agreement was signed between Mahmud Ali, general-secretary of the East Pakistan NAP, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, general-secretary of the East Pakistan AL, regarding parliamentary solidarity on the NAP's five-point programme.[3] Meanwhile, a no-confidence motion was brought against the new cabinet in the legislature. On 21 June, after the arrival of the central NAP president Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, in Dhaka, the provincial capital became politically turbulent. In the city, Bhashani held discussions with top leaders including Ataur Rahman Khan of the East Pakistan AL and Abu Hussain Sarkar of the East Pakistan KSP.[4] The date of 23 June was fixed for discussion of the no-confidence motion. On this occasion, both the government and the opposition began active efforts to secure support, and they also contacted Bhashani.[5] Eventually, with the support of the NAP, the cabinet was defeated by 14 votes, leading to its fall.[6] However, according to the provincial governor's report, the central cabinet imposed governor’s rule in East Pakistan untill 24 August.[7] Thereafter, on 25 August, the Third Ataur ministry assumed responsibility for the province.[8]

Members

The cabinet consisted of the following ministers:[3]

Cabinet members
Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
Office of the Chief Minister20 June 195823 June 1958 KSP
20 June 195823 June 1958 KSP
Jail and Finance Department20 June 195823 June 1958 United Progressive Party (Pakistan)

References

  1. ^ "পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে আওয়ামী-কংগ্রেস কোয়ালিশন মন্ত্রিসভার পতন". The Azad (in Bengali). 19 June 1958. p. 1.
  2. ^ "গবর্ণর কর্ত্তৃক জনাব আবু হোসেন সরকার মন্ত্রিসভা গঠনের জন্য আমন্ত্রিত". The Azad (in Bengali). 21 June 1958. p. 1.
  3. ^ a b c "পূর্ব পাকিস্থানের মুখ্যমন্ত্রীরূপে মিঃ সরকারের শপথ গ্রহণ". Jugantar Patrika (in Bengali). 21 June 1958. p. 1, 5.
  4. ^ "ন্যাপের সমর্থন সংগ্রহের প্রশ্নে ঢাকায় রাজনৈতিক তৎপরতা বৃদ্ধি". The Azad (in Bengali). 22 June 1958. p. 1.
  5. ^ "অদ্য পরিষদের অধিবেশনে মন্ত্রিসভার বিরুদ্ধে অনাস্থা প্রস্তাবের আলোচনা". The Azad (in Bengali). 23 June 1958. p. 1.
  6. ^ "পূর্ব্ব পাকিস্তান পরিষদে আবু হোসেন মন্ত্রিসভার পরাজয়". The Azad (in Bengali). 24 June 1958. p. 1.
  7. ^ "পূর্ব পাকিস্তানে দুই মাসের জন্য ১৯৩ ধারার শাসন প্রবর্ত্তন". The Azad (in Bengali). 25 June 1958. p. 1.
  8. ^ "A.L. MINISTRY SWORN IN". The Pakistan Observer. 26 June 1958. p. 1.