Editing Politics of Bangladesh (section)

===Background, Independence movement and Provisional Government===
{{Main|History of Bengal|Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh}}
[[File:Provisional Government of BD (2).jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Cabinet members of the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]]; popularly known as Mujibnagar Government]]
After the [[British Empire|British]] conquest of [[Bengal]] on [[Battle of Plassey|23 June 1757]] and the overthrowing and execution of [[Nawab]] [[Siraj ud-Daulah]], considered as the last independent ruler of the region before regaining independence 200 years later, the [[Bengal Presidency]] was divided in [[British India]] in the year [[Partition of India|1947]], as [[East Bengal]] and [[West Bengal]] mainly on religious grounds. East Bengal allied itself with the newly formed Muslim state of Pakistan and became known as [[East Pakistan]]. However the relations between [[West Pakistan]] and East Pakistan were politically strained due to various issues of inequality, language, culture and a large distance of over 2,000 kilometres between the two states separated by the foreign lands of India. The central power remained confined in West Pakistan, thus demand for total independent rule of East Pakistan begun. Following the [[Six point movement]] in 1966, led by [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]], the East Pakistan independence movement gained momentum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.bd/site/page/27839bef-6d06-4e43-a6d8-b4be6a09c201/Historical-Background |title=Historical Background |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.bd/site/page/8fbebd4d-8b6f-46ac-b245-33e4da3c1ff3 |title=Country Profile |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>

On 5 December 1969, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stated after independence East Pakistan will be renamed Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mostofa |first=Anando |date=5 December 2019  |title=50 years of 'Bangladesh' |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2019/12/05/50-years-of-bangladesh |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |type=Op-Ed}}</ref> The situation escalated after the 1970 elections and the [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|7 March 1971 speech]] of [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]. After a brutal Pakistani army crackdown on the local people of Bangladesh on 25 March 1971 carried out under orders of Pakistan President [[Yahya Khan]], Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Chief of Awami League and the leader of the liberation movement declared independence on 26 March 1971, which was broadcast from Chittagong radio station on 27 March, first by the then Awami League Secretary of Chittagong Mr Abdul Hannan and other Awami League leaders and then by Major Ziaur Rahman on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the evening of 27 March, thus starting the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. Captain Rafiq BU Commanding Officer of Chittagong East Pakistan Rifles revolted first and subsequently other commanding officers at different places: Major Shafiullah, Major Khaled Musharraf and Major [[Ziaur Rahman]] revolted with their forces. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested by the Pakistan Army in early hours of 26 March, immediately after he declared independence and was taken to West Pakistan, where he remained in jail until early January 1972.

Bangladesh's first government formed on 10 April 1971 and took the oath of office in Meherpur, [[Kushtia]] on 17 April 1971. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected as the first president of the Provisional Government of Bangladesh, Syed Nazrul Islam was elected as the vice president, and [[Tajuddin Ahmed]] was elected as the first prime minister. Other major cabinet members were Mr Kamruzzaman, Mr Monsur Ali and Khodokar Mustaq Ahmed, all senior Awami League leaders. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by virtue of his position as the president of Bangladesh became the Supreme Commander of the Liberation Army, while Colonel M.A.G. Osmani was appointed by the provisional government as the Commander-in- Chief of the liberation army. Subsequently, the provisional government formed its secretariat and designated top bureaucrats as chiefs of the divisions of the Secretariat. The Provisional Government later divided Bangladesh into eleven Sectors for conducting war efficiently and in an organized manner. This Government became the first legal political entity on behalf of the fighting people of Bangladesh and represented the people in the international arena. Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed started intergovernmental dialogue with the Indian Government immediately after the formation of the Provisional Government. Bangladesh achieved victory in the liberation war on 16 December 1971.

As this government was formed during the war of independence from Pakistan, its significance holds a distinction. Its temporary headquarters had been set up at 8 Theatre Road in Calcutta, India.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Mujibnagar Government |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/law/article/19752/The-Mujibnagar-Government |work=[[Banglanews24.com]] |date=10 April 2012}}</ref>