Karnataka’s Planning and Statistics Minister D. Sudhakar died in the early hours of Sunday after a prolonged illness, according to a medical bulletin. He was 66.
Sudhakar, a senior Congress leader and a sitting legislator, passed away at 3.15 am at the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences in Bengaluru’s Electronic City, where he had been undergoing treatment for a lung infection for nearly two months, the hospital said.
“Honourable Minister Mr Sudhakar D, 66 years old, was declared dead at 3.15 am on May 10, 2026,” Dr R. Chinnadurai, medical director of the hospital, said in the bulletin.
Sudhakar represented the Hiriyur constituency in Chitradurga district and was considered a seasoned organiser within the state unit of the Congress party. As planning and statistics minister, he handled portfolios central to Karnataka’s development planning and data-driven governance.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of senior Congress leader and Karnataka Minister, D. Sudhakar ji. A torchbearer of Congress ideology, his life was spent in service of the poor of Chitradurga and Karnataka. My condolences to his family and supporters,” wrote Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition at Lok Sabha and Congress MP on X.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply saddened by the minister’s death, recalling that he had hoped Sudhakar would recover when he visited him in hospital.
“Sudhakar was a person with immense concern and commitment towards public service. Such a person should have remained among the people for many more years,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X, describing the loss as an extremely painful moment.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Sudhakar had rendered exemplary public service in a people-friendly manner and expressed condolences to his family.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka also mourned Sudhakar’s demise, joining leaders across party lines in paying tribute to the veteran legislator. |
