History of Bangladesh 2

1965 - Presidential Election

After the sudden death of Suhrawardi Pakistan's politics comes down to a stalemate. Almost all of the Politicians were united under the umbrella of NDF with the great leadership of Suhrawardi. But this unity came to an end with the death of the great leader. So all political parties revived under their own name. Awami League revived under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mawlana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish, similarly NAP revived under the leadership of Mawlana Bhashani. But a portion of the senior leadership of Awami League did not support this revival. So, a number of Suhrawardi followers including Abul Mansur Ahmed and Ataur Rahman Khan stayed away from the new Awami League. Mainly after this, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the spirit of the Awami League.

Meanwhile it was already declared that the Presidential Elections would be held in January of 1965. Of course incumbent President Ayub Khan was the candidate of the ruling Convention Muslim League (CML). If Suhrawardi were alive, he would undoubtedly be the candidate of Combined Opposition Party. In his absence, the opposition leaders chose Mrs. Fatema Jinnah, sister of “Quaid-e-Azam” Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as their candidate. The unity among the opposition parties brought widespread enthusiasm among the people. Mrs. Fatima Jinnah traveled all over Pakistan, from Chittagong to Chitral. All of her campaign meetings were attended by thousands of enthusiastic people. People became hopeful again.

But the real problem lies elsewhere - not ordinary people to vote in the elections – some 80,000 BD members were to vote! And so the result is what many people already speculated - due to the immoral influence and bribery of the Government machinery, Ayub Khan is “Elected” as the President of Pakistan on January 2nd 1965, by 64% vote!!

This was the situation in a polling station in Lahore - two police officers came in a car with few voters (i.e. B.D. members) -- opened the door and took out one by one. The Officers say, come back after voting. After a while, the voters went inside the car one by one car. And then they leave. Just like a prison vehicle.

However, the role of Mawlana Bhashani was also questionable. Even though he supported Mrs. Fatima Jinnah officially, but he himself and his party NAP had an inactive role during the Elections. Many say since Bhashani was anti India and pro-China, so he maintained “Don’t Disturb Ayub” policy.