Formation of Krishak Proja Party

After the formation of the Bengal Proja Party, this party tried to organize itself. The members
of the district board were elected by the votes of the elected members of the local board. Under
the chairmanship of Fazlul Haque, in April 1936, the association was named Nikhil Bangla
Krishak-Proja Samiti (Party) in a resolution at the session of the Bengal Proja Party in Dhaka.
Originally, the Krishak Proja Party became the focal point of Bengal politics in anticipation of
the elections to be held under the Rule of India Act of 1935.

Background:
The Krishak Proja Party clearly conveys the Muslim Party's call for Muslim unity as an electoral
campaign aimed at garnering votes and positioning its leaders in the upcoming elections.
On Ispahani's invitation Muhammad Ali Jinnah came to Bengal. His aim was to gain the support
of both or any of the parties also. Muslim League continued discussion to the Farmer Proja Party
for a few days and both of these parties proposed several demand.
Finally, when the compromise proposal failed, the Krishak Proja Party decided to hold elections
independently. The newly organized Muslim League in Bengal, comprising Jinnah's Muslim
League and Suhrawardy's United Muslim League, took part in the elections. Thus, when elections
were announced under the Rule of India Act, 1935, the parties participated in the elections even
though they were not mentally prepared to join constitutional politics. As a result, the two main
Muslim parties, not the Congress, are the rivals.
Election Results:
The election results of Bengal provinces for Muslim seats are given by a table:
Party Name Wining Seats Percenteng(%)
Krishak Proja Party 36 30.76
Muslim Leauge 35 29.91
Indupendent(Muslim) 41 35.04
Tripura Krishak Association 5 4.27
117 99.98

The League and the Proja Party each won a third of the total seats, despite their heavy
campaigns. Independent candidates were in relatively good position. It proved that Muslim
League, Proja Party and Congress could not develop their organizational branches in many areas
of the province. Krishak Proja Party came third but got 30.76 percent of the total votes cast.
Whereas, Muslim League got 29.91% votes.
Fazlul Huq's first cabinet and its activities (1937-1941)
As no single political party was able to secure a majority in the 1937 elections, a coalition
cabinet was formed. According to the rule of law, the Governor of Bengal first called on
Congress Bengal president Sarat Bose and invited Fazlul Haque to form the cabinet. After
receiving no response. Krishak Proja partie’s parliamentary leader Fazlul Haque was appointed
Chief Minister in an 11-member cabinet including the Muslim League and some minority.
Some prominent Minister of Proja-Leauge coalition Cabinet (1937) were as follows:

Name Name of Ministry

A K Fazlul Haq Education Ministry
Khaja Najimuddin Finance Ministry
Khaja Habibullah Agriculture and Industry Ministry
Maharaja Shish Chandra Nandi Communication and Labor Ministry

The cabinet was formed with 6 Muslims and 5 Hindus. Among them there were 6 landlords, 1
capitalist, 4 lawyers and politicians.
Despite various limitations, the Haque cabinet can claim special credit. This Cabinet performs
the following functions:
Formation of Committee on Abolition of Zamindari System:
On November 5, 1938, a 10-member Commission of Inquiry into Abolition of Zamindari
System, known as the 'Flood Commission', was appointed with Francis Floud as its chairman.
On March 21, 1940, the commission submitted its report with recommendations to abolish the
zamindari system. Later on the basis of this report through the passing of the East Bengal
Tenancy Acquisition Act in 1950 the zamindari system was abolished.
Chashi Khatak Act:
In 1938, under the Bengal Chashi Khatak Act, a number of 'Debt Arbitration Boards' were
formed throughout the province of Bengal. This board till 1944. Plays an important role in
reducing the indebtedness of the farmers of Bengal.
Bengali Job Recruitment Rules:
50% of the posts were reserved for the Muslim community under the community-based
distribution rules enacted by the Haque Cabinet in 1938, which introduced the Bengal
Employment Recruitment Act.
Money lenders Act 1940 Passed:
In 1940, the government passed the Bengal Moneylenders Act making it mandatory for all
moneylenders to have a trade license. Besides, the interest rate is also specified. Despite
limitations, these laws freed a large section of the peasantry from heavy debt burdens and
various forms of illegal extortion by middlemen Zamindars and Moneylenders.
Bengal Tenancy (Amendment) Act:
The Bengal Tenancy (Amendment) Act was passed in 1938 to provide land transfer fees to
Zamindars. The rate of interest charged on rent arrears is reduced from 12.5% to 6.25%. The
Act suspended for ten years the increase of rent on various types and classes of proprietors by
the Zamindars.
Rural Reforms: The Haq cabinet led by Suhrawardy played a major role in rural reforms.
District to district officers and 600 police station officers were appointed to accelerate the rural
reconstruction work and campaign. In addition to development of agriculture, irrigation, roads,
bridges, etc., it is planned to establish an old age school in every village and provide fist alms.
Education reform:
Prime Minister A. K. Fazlul Haque made an unforgettable contribution to the spread of
education in the province of Bengal. Many schools, colleges and Madrassas including Tejgaon
Agricultural Institute (now Sherebangla Agricultural University), Calcutta Lady Brabourne
College, Adina Fazlul Haque College were established during the Haque cabinet.