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Abstract

Jinnah had a very close political association with the Muslim League since 1910. He became its member in 1913 and from that time onward, owing to his profound interest in its political affairs, he was elected its permanent President in 1919, a position he held until 1930.  This was the initial period of Jinnah’s leadership of the League. This period reflects a crucial chapter in the political journey of the League and Jinnah because it not only reshaped Jinnah’s political doctrine, but also altered the League’s course of political action and the nature of its constitutional struggle. This research mainly explores how Jinnah was invited to the League’s forum and why he was elected as its permanent President. It further explores the strategies employed by Jinnah to confront the various internal and external challenges faced by the League during this period and examines his role as its President in safeguarding the distinct political entity of the League from growing influence of the Khilafat Conference and the Congress. The paper critically analyses the contrasting political dynamics and strategies of the Congress and the League with reference to the British constitutional reforms.  It also provides an in-depth analysis of the notable factors responsible for the League’s political deadlock during this period. The study is based on historical and critical analysis supported by both primary and secondary sources.