Bhadase Maraj

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Bhadase Sagan Maraj (1929-1971) was a Trinidad and Tobago politician, religious leader and businessman. He founded the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha in 1952. It grew into the major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1950, founded the People's Democratic Party, and later merged it into the Democratic Labour Party, which he led between 1958 and 1960 (when he lost control of the party to Rudranath Capildeo). Bhadase (as he was most widely known) continued to be active in politics until his death, often opposing Capildeo and other members of the DLP. After Capildeo's Chaguanas seat was declared vacant in 1967 Bhadase won the seat in a by-election boycotted by the DLP.

When the DLP boycotted the 1971 General Elections Bhadase organised the Democratic Liberation Party to contest the election, but all of his candidates were defeated when the DLP leadership brought out their supporters to vote for the People's National Movement candidates rather than see Bhadase's party win. He died several months after the election. His son-in-law, Satnarayan Maharaj succeeded him as leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.