A complex chapter in the history of Bangladesh is 1954-58. For some reason this era is very less talked about. Even though the Bengalis ruled East Pakistan as well as Pakistan Central Government for a brief time, this is the time when there was tough personality clash among our leaders as well as was dirty politics played by the Pakistanis
Even though the arch political rivals Sher Bangla AK Fazlul Haq and Hussain Shahid Suharawaradi became united under the umbrella of the United Front to defeat Muslim League, it broke apart right after the Elections and then spread among party leadership.
April 3rd, 1954 Sher Bangla AK Fazlul Haq formed ministry with membership from each party of the United Front except Awami League which happens to have the largest stake in the UF. Intense disagreement arose between Sher Bangla AK Fazlul Haq and Hussain Shahid Suharawaradi on whom to coopt in the ministry. Finally, on May 15, Mr. Haq, adopted 10 members in his ministry from Awami League including Ataur Rahman Khan, Abul Mansur Ahmed and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Pakistan Muslim League and their Bengali allies (the Muslim League) are not sitting idle either. While the new ministry was taking oath, a riot broke at the Adamjee Jute Mills among Bengali and non-Bengali workers leaving hundreds of people dead. Again when Sher Bangla AK Fazlul Haq visited Calcutta, the press miss lead his speech. According to the Pakistanis Mr. Haq had said – “The independence of East Pakistan would be the main task of my Government."
Finally, just two months after the elections, on 30 May 1954, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Bogra defies Mr. Haq as the "Enemy of Pakistan” and dismisses his ministry. On June 1st Iskandar Mirza was appointed Governor of East Pakistan.
Governor's rule was imposed in East Pakistan. Democracy is abolished.
Section 92-A issued, Mr. Haq is under house arrest – hundreds of party workers and leaders are arrested including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman .
The dark cloud covers the fate the Bengal again.