Tragic Loss: Karnataka Minister D. Sudhakar Passes Away After Battle with Illness
Karnataka Minister D. Sudhakar Dies in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: D. Sudhakar, the Karnataka Minister for Planning and Statistics, passed away early Sunday morning at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru, where he had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit for a month.
The hospital confirmed his passing in an official announcement, noting that he died at 3:15 a.m.
Dr. R. Chinnadurai, the Medical Director, stated, "Honourable Minister D. Sudhakar, aged 66, was pronounced dead at approximately 3:15 a.m. on May 10 at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Electronic City."
Sudhakar, who also served as the Chitradurga District In-Charge Minister, regarded Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D. K. Shivakumar as his political mentor and maintained a close relationship with him.
Earlier, Dr. Pavan Yadav M. V., Clinical Director and Senior Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at KIMS, mentioned that Sudhakar was transferred from Manipal Hospital on April 20 for advanced care, requiring full life support to assist his vital organ functions. A specialized team of doctors monitored his condition continuously. He was stable on life support, but if his lungs did not improve significantly, a lung transplant would be considered.
Sudhakar, a four-time MLA, was initially admitted to Manipal Hospital for knee surgery. Following the procedure, he developed a serious lung infection, leading to his transfer to KIMS Hospital, where preparations for a lung transplant were underway. Unfortunately, he passed away before the procedure could take place.
Originally from Challakere and belonging to the Jain community, Sudhakar was born on March 28, 1961, as the third son of businessman Dasharathayya and Kanchanmala. After earning a B.Com degree, he ventured into politics. He is survived by his wife Harshini, son Suhas, and daughter Spoorthi.
Sudhakar was the Congress MLA for Hiriyur and served as the president of the Chitradurga DCC Bank. He first won an MLA seat from the Challakere Assembly constituency in 2004. After Challakere became a reserved constituency, he contested from Hiriyur in 2008 and won as an independent candidate.
In 2008, he supported the BJP government and served as the Minister for Social Welfare under B. S. Yediyurappa. However, he lost his portfolio following the revelation of the Beggars' Colony scam and was later appointed as the Minister for the Muzrai Department.
Sudhakar was re-elected as a Congress MLA from Hiriyur in 2013 but lost to Poornima Srinivas in 2018. He reclaimed the seat in 2023 against Srinivas as a Congress candidate.
During a drought in Chitradurga district, he personally cultivated fodder around lakes in Hiriyur and distributed it to farmers, a gesture that is fondly remembered by the community.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar expressed his sorrow, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of our cabinet colleague and close associate, D. Sudhakar, who had been undergoing treatment for illness and passed away today."
He added that D. Sudhakar had provided "commendable public service in an effective manner."
"It is painful that Sudhakar has left behind his family, relatives, and numerous supporters. I pray that God grants eternal peace to his soul and provides strength to his family during this difficult time. Om Shanti," the Deputy Chief Minister remarked.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, also expressed his condolences, stating, "My heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Shri D. Sudhakar, Minister for Planning and Statistics and District In-charge Minister of Chitradurga. I pray that the Almighty grants eternal peace to his soul and gives strength to his family to cope with this immense loss."