The Sheriff is dead

Former UNC cabinet minister Dhanraj Singh died Friday morning from complications following heart surgery. He was 49. The popular and controversial former government minister was a patient at the West Shore Medical Hospital in Cocorite.

Singh drove himself to the hospital on Sunday. He had suffered a heart attack two days after an operation on his aorta.

On Thursday doctors described Singh's condition as "critical", noting that his heart was pumping weakly. They said he was being kept alive with the help of drugs and machines although he had not gone into a coma.

Singh was elected on a UNC ticket as the Member of Parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre in the 1995 general election that propelled the UNC into office. He served as Minister of Local Government in the Panday administration from 1996 to 2000.

In a statement to the family offering condolences on his passing the UNC said Singh was "well loved by his constituents whom he served with compassion and dedication."

It added, "The UNC recognizes his stewardship of the Ministry of Local Government which resulted in a level of productivity and efficiency never before and never since witnessed in this country.

"The legacy of his service to this country is evidenced by the number of roads, bridges, police stations and other infrastructure enjoyed by members of the public across the length and breadth of the land."

The party said, ''As a politician, Mr Singh quickly captured the hearts of a large section of population on all sides of the political landscape, so much that his jovial platform antics earned him immortality in song."

While Singh made his stamp as the "Sheriff” during his tenure in local government his political career was tarnished with charges for fraud involving more than $2 million. He was also charged in murder of local government representative Hansraj Sumairsingh but was acquitted on the murder charge.

Members of the House of Representatives also paid tribute to the former minister and observed a minute of silence to mark his passing.

House Speaker Barendra Sinanan noted Singh's academic qualifications and his work in the trade ministry as an economist from the 1980s to 1990s and his political stint as the Pointe-a-Pierre MP and local government minister up to 2000.

Sinanan described Singh as a “very colourful character” and a "jolly fellow". PNM House Leader Colm Imbert said Singh had distinguished himself inside and outside of the House with events and was highly qualified.

He said Singh was effective as a minister and had served the UNC Government and his constituents well.

UNC’s Ramesh L. Maharaj said Singh was a true servant of the people and noted Singh's love of Indian culture and his dancing on political platforms and singing. “We’re very sorry at his passing,” Maharaj said.

Singh is survived by his estranged wife, Leela, and three children - Adesh, Sharda and Rajiv.

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