'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.