Billy Hughes increasingly dominant in public affairs with the rise of Fascism in Europe and militant Japan in Asia. From 1938, Prime Minister Joseph Lyons had Hughes head a recruitment drive for the Australian Defence Force. On 7 April 1939, Lyons died in office. The United Australia Party selected Robert Menzies as his successor to lead a minority government on the eve of World War Two. Australia entered the Second World War on 3 September 1939 and a special War Cabinet was created after war was declared – initially composed of Prime Minister Menzies and five senior ministers including Hughes. Labor opposition
Prime Minister of Assam India movement. Saadulla was invited to form two ministries in 17 November 1939 and 24 August 1942, with intervening periods of Governor's rule in between. Saadulla served as Prime Minister for a total of 9 years. Bordoloi was released in 1944. During the Indian provincial elections, 1946, the Congress led by Bordoloi received a majority and formed government once again. On 6 July 1947, the Sylhet referendum voted for the partition of Muslim-majority Sylhet district from Assam; and merger with East Bengal. Bordoloi later became the first Chief Minister of Assam after Indian independence in 1947. Prime Minister of Assam