The office was created under the
Government of India Act 1935, which granted Bengal a
bicameral legislature, including the
Bengal Legislative Council and the
Bengal Legislative Assembly. The prime minister was in charge of the
executive branch. The prime minister of Bengal played an important role in pan-Indian politics, including proclaiming the
Lahore Resolution and dealing with Japanese attacks during
World War II. The
Congress party boycotted the office due to its anti-British policy. The office was held by three Muslims. The first premier was A. K. Fazlul Huq, the leader of the anti-feudalist
Krishak Praja Party. Huq formed his first government with the
All India Muslim League in 1937. The League withdrew support in 1941, after which Huq forged a coalition with the
Hindu Mahasabha led by
Syama Prasad Mukherjee. The Huq-Syama coalition lasted till 1943. Huq was succeeded by a Muslim League ministry led by Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin. A conservative figure, the Nazimuddin ministry lasted till 1945, when governor's rule was imposed. The next election saw H. S. Suhrawardy lead the Muslim League to a majority. Suhrawardy sought an
undivided Bengal with support from Hindu leaders and the British governor; but faced challenges like the
Noakhali riots,
Direct Action Day and the idea was also rejected by the All India Congress party who called for partitioning of Bengal. ==List of prime ministers of Bengal (1937–1947)==