The late Premchand Sookoo has been described by the UNC as the “people’s representative” and an icon new politicians can look up to.

According to reports, Sookoo passed away yesterday aged 77.

The UNC, in a media release, notes that he was a founding stalwart of the party and one of the longest-serving Local Government representatives.

Sookoo spend 33 years as the elected councillor for Barrackpore West, from 1983 to 2016.

The UNC says he exemplified innovation, tenacity and dynamism and was awarded a UNC Long Service Award last year.