 Although Jinnah initially opposed separate electorates for Muslims , he used this means to gain his first elective office in 1909 , as Bombay 's Muslim representative on the Imperial Legislative Council . He was a compromise candidate when two older , better @-@ known Muslims who were seeking the post deadlocked . The council , which had been expanded to 60 members as part of reforms enacted by Minto , recommended legislation to the Viceroy . Only officials could vote in the council ; non @-@ official members , such as Jinnah , had no vote . Throughout his legal career , Jinnah practised probate law ( with many clients from India 's nobility ) , and in 1911 introduced the Wakf Validation Act to place Muslim religious trusts on a sound legal footing under British Indian law . Two years later , the measure passed , the first act sponsored by non @-@ officials to pass the council and be enacted by the Viceroy . Jinnah was also appointed to a committee which helped to establish the Indian Military Academy in Dehra Dun . 
