Punjab Legislative Assembly Elections of 1946

 

Punjab Legislative Assembly Elections of 1946

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The 1946 elections of the Punjab Legislative Assembly were an important turning point in the Punjab history. These elections changed the political scenario in the Punjab. Following the 1946 elections, the Muslim League (ML) became a powerful political force in Punjab politics. Out of the total number of Muslim seats, the Muslim League (ML) secured seventy five seats. The 1946 elections in the Punjab changed the entire history of the subcontinent. 

Prior to Partition, Punjab was a province dominated by Muslims. The massive victory of the Muslim League (ML) strengthened the hands of the Muslim League (ML). The Punjabi groups, which aimed to survive by endorsing their separate political parties based on religious affinities, were profoundly affected by the revolutionary elections of 1946.All Muslim seats in the Muslim Legislative Assembly and most Muslim seats in provincial assemblies were won by the Muslim League (ML). 

Hindus constituted the majority of the members of the INC (Indian National Congress). While the Muslim League served as the Punjabi Muslim community's spokesperson, ‘Shiromani Akali Dal’ (SAD) was able to attain the support of the Sikh majority. The Main political agenda of the Muslim League (ML) has been the formation of Pakistan and for congress, it was to achieve freedom of India. The Unionists with no political agenda worth the name simply drifted along into growing irrelevance.

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