Why did the victory of the Awami League in the 1970 elections in Pakistan cause a constitutional crisis?

LEVEL 1: Simplistic answer [1]

It was a popular party.

LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons [2–4]

The politicians of West Pakistan were worried about the consequences of East
Pakistan running the National Assembly.

LEVEL 3: Explains reasons [5–7]

President Yahya Khan was not willing to allow the Awami League to take over
the National Assembly by forming a government. The Awami League had won a
landslide victory in East Pakistan and the National Assembly and was in a
position to form a government on its own. The future Prime Minister and the
entire cabinet could be formed from the Awami League. Even though Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto and the Pakistan People’s Party had won an overwhelming victory in
West Pakistan, it was likely it would have no role in the future government.

The Awami League had won the election on a programme limiting the power of
central government over the provinces. The different areas of the country
wanted to have control over their foreign exchange earned from trade which
would subsequently reduce the funds to the central government in West
Pakistan.

‘Political factors were more important than any other factor in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.’ Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer. [14]

LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement [1–2]

They wanted independence.

LEVEL 2: Description of reasons for creation of Bangladesh [3–6]

The Awami League wanted a federal government. East Pakistan was a long way from West Pakistan and it was poorer and had many floods.

LEVEL 3: Explains one factor [7–10]

LEVEL 4: Explains at least two including political factors [9–13]

The general election of 1970 saw the Awami League win a majority in East Pakistan. The
League wanted a federal form of government, which would leave EP to control everything except defence and foreign policy. It wanted a separate currency and fiscal policy with its own taxation. It wanted to negotiate its own trade agreements with other countries and have its own armed forces. In effect, it wanted separation from Pakistan which was becoming more evident due to the perceived differences between the two. Political parties who emerged in both parts believed in regionalism rather than national sovereignty. However, the demands of the Six Points of the Awami League were rejected by Ayub Khan, and its leader Mujib-ur-Rehman was imprisoned. This caused further discontent and separation began to look inevitable. The intervention of Indian troops in East Pakistan resulted in a swift conclusion to the fight for independence.

East Pakistan was a long way from the western half and most of the wealth of Pakistan was concentrated in the west not only of individuals but also in terms of government expenditure.

This caused great resentment in East Pakistan. A weaker industrial base and a land ravaged by regular floods led to even more depression in this area which caused further discontent.

Also the eastern province saw little return for the wealth created by the growing of jute in the area. Again all the benefits went to the west.

LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation. [14]