THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR PAKISTAN

Posted by Faizan Shiwani / at 1:05 AM / /

Since the creation of Pakistan experiments have been made to as- certain the will of the people regarding the reconstruction of national institutions. From time to time, various governments envisaged plans, schemes and proposals, to strengthen and streamline the structure of private and public establishments, according to the emerging needs. However, the process of reformation, during the last so many years, evidently failed to satisfy the national requirements as well as the public opinion.

Once again the nation is passing through the election experiment to be held from 18th of August. The election campaign, with each passing day is gaining momentum throughout the country. In a democratic society, elections are considered as an integral part of the political system, destined to change the government, peacefully, by the majority votes. In the parliamentary system, prevailing in Britian since centuries, the will of the people, ascertained through the ballot, became the beacon of light for the people at home and abroad. Inspired by the peaceful means of transfer of power, many British colonies adopted the parliamentary system for the good governance of their country. Pakistan, being an important part of the British Empire, opted for the parliamentary system, based on British conventions. However, since independence, the country witnessed very many changes in the form and format of the government, mutilating the very pattern of the parliamentary structure. Even the constitution of the country was abrogated, changed, modified and amended to suit the desire of the ruling class.

Now, under the guidance of President Musharraf, new reforms have been introduced to associate the common man with the representative institutions. For the first time in the history of Pakistan the women were granted 30 percent representation in the assemblies. The Local Bodies elections being held on the non-party basis providing opportunity to the honest and capable candidates to contribute their share in the development of healthy society, free from the prevailing corruption. The elections will be a test for the politicians who claim to enjoy popularity among the electorates. In order to hold free and impartial elections, the Election Commission has prescribed a code of conduct to be followed by the candidates. It is a basic requirement of the election procedure, which will strengthen the democratic traditions. During the British rule elections were envisaged to be held in the peaceful atmosphere, free from the intimidation of officials as well as the resourceful and influential candidates. Even the Elections of 1945-46 were considered very transparent which paved the way for the ultimate success of Muslim League's candidates. The electorates were provided opportunity to exercise the right of vote according to their conscience. At this critical juncture, the pressure tactics were vehemently condemned by Quaid-i-Azam who in his press conference at Karachi on 6th September 1945 stated that:

"It would be highly improper for me to interfere or to influence the activities, proceedings and decisions of the Parliamentary Board, Provincial or Central, or for that matter, of any tribunal set up by the League. No inducement can ever be given to any person; howsoever high he may be, in joining the Muslim League. It will be corruption to do so and no honest man can be a party to it."

While discussing the election issues, it must be realized that the destiny of the Sub-continent was decided during the elections of 1945-46. The elections established, beyond any doubt, the claim of the All India Muslim League as the sole representative organization of 10 million Muslims of India. Hitherto, League's assertions to represent the entire Muslim community were disputed and emphatically denied by the Indian National Congress, stressing on its national character, having in its fold the eminent Muslims of various castes and communities, supporting its policy and program. The Muslims belonging to Congress, publicized by the Congress press as 'Nationalist Muslims', invigorated the position of the Congress in the political parlays between the Congress and the League. The government of India too subscribed the Congress views about the Muslim minority.

The Congress forcefully advocated that all the sections of Indian population, desire and demand, a democratic united India, free from the communal exploitation. The British government supported the Congress stance and the general public in England, influenced by the Congress propaganda, treated the Muslim League as a communal organization, struggling to safeguard the interests of upper class Muslims, particularly the landed aristocracy. To achieve the freedom of India, the Congress launched the violent campaign of 'Quiet India' against the Government of India in August 1942. The government suppressed the agitation. In spite of the crackdown on its members, leaders and activists, who were arrested and kept in confinement till July 1945, the party position remained intact, powerful enough to encounter the government against any decision, contrary to its aims and objects.

As regards the British government, although it emerged victorious against Germany and Japan in the Second World War (1939-45), it substantially lost the moral and material capacity to subdue and subordinate the spirit of Indian nationalism. According to political perceptions in England, the Indian circumstances were becoming unfavorable for the government and it would be impossible to crush any violent agitation against the British rule. Consequently, the British government asked Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India to invite Indian leaders for consultations. On June 14, 1945, Lord Wavell, in his broadcast announced that: " I have been authorised by His Majesty's Government to place before the Indian political leaders proposals designed to ease the present political situation and to advance India towards her goal of full self government." He also announced holding elections saying that: " The appropriate time for fresh elections for the Central and Provincial legislatures will be discussed at the Conference."

Before concluding his broadcast he expressed the noble sentiments:

" Finally, I would ask you all to help in creating the atmosphere of goodwill and mutual confidence that is essential if we are to make progress. The destiny of this great country and of the many millions who live in it depends on the wisdom and good understanding of the leaders, both of action and of thought, British and Indian, at this critical moment of India's history."

The Simla Conference deliberated on the Indian problems till July 14 without reaching any settlement between the principal political parties. Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, President of the Congress remarked about the breakdown of the conference as:

" ... the position taken by Mr. Jinnah was that the Muslim League on behalf of the Muslim should nominate Muslim members in the new Executive Council. The Congress found that such a position would be inconsistent with its basic national character. "

However, Lord Wavell took the responsibility and announced that:" I wish to make it clear that the responsibility for the failure is mine."He also stated that the general elections would be held in the coming winter.

The elections became the most important, crucial and urgent problem to be faced by the national parties. It was more important for the Muslim League, which was still consolidating its position among the Muslim masses. Sensing the importance of elections, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, before leaving Simla, issued a statement on 16th July, emphasising that:

" Every province and every district must be thoroughly and systematically organized and the result of the elections would be the acid test and the verdict given at the polling booths will be the main criterion by which the solidarity and unity of Musalmans will be judged both in India and abroad all over the world."

He invited Muslims attention towards financial assistance stating that:

"I have not made any appeal for funds since 1942, as there was no need for it but I want to impress upon our people that we do require money now to face these elections all over the vast Sub-Continent of India in eleven provinces as well as for the centre. I hope that my appeal will meet with cordial and generous response."

Thus the President of the League started the election campaign, just after the failure of the Simla Conference. He issued statements, addressed public meetings, circulated appeals, and received numerous deputations, emphasing the importance of the success of League's candidates. On 31st October, he pronounced that " The elections will give a clear verdict on the issue whether the Muslims of India stands for Pakistan or for Akhand Hindustan. It is therefore a question of life and death with Muslims of India. If we are defeated in the elections, then we would be nowhere, but I have full faith in you and, I see clearly that Musalmans of India today understand the issues before them. We have no press, nor financial support the Congress has, but, we Muslims, are politically more conscious than Hindus are, the handicaps notwithstanding."

The election campaign started by the Muslim League stirred all sections of Muslim population. The appeal for funds made by the Quaid demanding that: "Give me the silver bullets and I will finish the job." inspired the Muslims who contributed generously for the election fund. Even the school students devoted their pocket money for the cherish goal of Pakistan. The Muslim women having no monetary resources threw away their ornaments before the fund raising parties in excitement. The students of the Muslim University Aligarh played a pivotal role in the election campaign. More than six hundred students spread away in the far-flung areas canvassing and collecting votes for the ML candidates. They approached Muslims of every walk of life to support the national cause of Pakistan and succeeded in counteracting the powerful material means, employed by the Congress to defeat League's Candidates. The student army found by the League in the election battle, fought pitched battles with the anti-League voters from one corner of India to another. The credit for the success of the League undoubtedly goes to the student community.

Another important factor, which consolidated the position of the League, was the participation of ulema and sufis. The religious divines entered in the election campaign from different sides and changed the nature of elections from the political battle into the religious Jihad. The spiritual element introduced by the religious personages sanctified the struggle and the ordinary Muslim, hitherto reluctant to side and support the League, treating it a West-oriented organization, joined the campaign that decided the future of India. The invaluable support extended by the divines shortened the distance for the realisation of Pakistan.

Eminent ulemas and spiritual leaders such as, Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani, Maulana Abdul Hamid Badayuni, Dewan Syed Ale Rasul Ali Khan of Ajmer, Pir Ladlay Hussain of Gulharga, Khwaja Ghulam Sadeed-ud-din of Tonsa, Sajjada Nasheen of Pakpattan, Syed Ghulam Mohiuddin Chisti of Golra, Maulana Qamar-ud-din of Saeeyal, Pir Syed Jamiat Ali Shah of Alipore, Maulana Syed Fazal Shah of Jalalpur and many more participated in the election campaign. The spiritual leaders directed their followers to only vote for the Muslim League candidates. The Fatawas issued by the ulemas and messages propagated by the spiritual heads created a deep impression that Pakistan enjoyed the blessing of the God Almighty. It goes without saying that without the support of the religious leaders it was nearly impossible for the League to secure cent percent votes in the election of Central Legislative Assembly, which decisively produced favourable results in the Provincial Assembly elections subsequently held in 1946. The contribution of ulemas for the creation of Pakistan must be realised as a most significant factor to be remain a living force in the contemporary history of Pakistan.

-- The author is former Senior Research Fellow, Quaid-i-Azam Academy.