Lesson 2/44 min
The cabinet and its portfolios
The six-member cabinet
| Name | Post | Portfolios |
|---|---|---|
| Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | President | Detained in Pakistan, so he could not exercise the office |
| Syed Nazrul Islam | Vice-President | Acting President in the President's absence |
| Tajuddin Ahmad | Prime Minister | Defence, information and broadcasting, economic affairs, planning, education, local government, health, labour, social welfare, establishment |
| Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad | Minister | Foreign affairs, and law and parliamentary affairs |
| Captain M. Mansur Ali | Minister | Finance, industry and commerce |
| A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman | Minister | Home, civil supplies, relief and rehabilitation, and agriculture |
Watch out: Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad looked after economic affairs and planning, but the finance minister of the Mujibnagar Government was Captain Mansur Ali. Qamaruzzaman was home minister; Mansur Ali took the home portfolio only after independence.
Watch out: Many books say the Mujibnagar Government had 12 ministries. According to Banglapedia it was divided into 15 ministries and divisions.
The Advisory Council
- Chairman: NAP president Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani
- Manoranjan Dhar was among its members
- Formed to guide and support the government, with leaders of several parties
Did you know?: Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad became President after 15 August 1975. Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Mansur Ali and Qamaruzzaman refused to join his cabinet.
Check yourself
Who were the finance minister and the home minister of the Mujibnagar Government?
At a glance
- 1
The cabinet had six members: Mujib (President), Nazrul Islam (Vice-President), Tajuddin (Prime Minister), Mostaq, Mansur Ali and Qamaruzzaman.
- 2
In Bangabandhu's absence Syed Nazrul Islam acted as President.
- 3
Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad was minister of foreign affairs, and of law and parliamentary affairs.
- 4
Finance minister: Captain Mansur Ali; minister of home, relief and rehabilitation, and agriculture: A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman.
- 5
The chairman of the Advisory Council was Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.