Karnataka Minister for Planning and Statistics D. Sudhakar passed away at 3.15 am on Sunday, 10 May at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Electronic City, Bengaluru, after spending nearly a month in the Intensive Care Unit. He was 66. His death marks the loss of a four-term legislator who had served the state across party lines over two decades.

Official Confirmation

Medical Director Dr R. Chinnadurai confirmed the death in an official hospital statement: "Honourable Minister D. Sudhakar, 66, was declared dead at around 3.15 am on May 10 at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Electronic City."

Sudhakar had also held charge as Chitradurga District In-Charge Minister in the current Karnataka cabinet. He is survived by his wife Harshini, son Suhas, and daughter Spoorthi.

How His Condition Deteriorated

Sudhakar had initially been admitted to Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru for a routine knee surgery. Following the procedure, he developed a serious lung infection. On 20 April, around 8 pm, he was transferred to KIMS on Extra-Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) for advanced care.

Clinical Director Dr Pavan Yadav M. V., Senior Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine and Associate Director of Lung Transplantation at KIMS, had earlier stated: "He is on full life support to assist his vital organ functions... if his lungs don't show significant improvement he may be considered for lung transplantation." Preparations for a lung transplant were reportedly underway, but Sudhakar passed away before the procedure could be carried out.

Political Career and Legacy

Born on 28 March 1961 in Challakere, Sudhakar was the third son of businessman Dasharathayya and Kanchanmala. After completing a B.Com degree, he entered electoral politics. He was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Challakere constituency in 2004.

When Challakere became a reserved constituency, he contested from Hiriyur in 2008 as an independent candidate and won. During that term, he served as Minister for Social Welfare in the B. S. Yediyurappa-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. He also briefly held the Muzrai Department portfolio. He returned to the Indian National Congress (Congress) fold, winning the Hiriyur seat in 2013, losing in 2018 to Poornima Srinivas, and reclaiming it in 2023. He was also president of the Chitradurga DCC Bank.

Notably, Sudhakar was widely remembered for personally cultivating fodder around lakes in Hiriyur during a severe drought in Chitradurga district and distributing it to farmers' cattle — a grassroots gesture that endeared him to local communities.

Condolences Pour In

Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D. K. Shivakumar, who Sudhakar regarded as his political mentor, expressed grief: "I am deeply saddened by the demise of our cabinet colleague and close associate, D. Sudhakar, who had been undergoing treatment for illness and passed away today." Shivakumar added that Sudhakar had "rendered commendable public service in an effective manner" and prayed for strength for his family.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka also condoled the death, stating: "My condolences on the passing of Shri D. Sudhakar, Minister for Planning and Statistics Department and District In-charge Minister of Chitradurga. I pray that the Almighty grants eternal peace to his soul and gives strength to his family members to bear the sorrow of this irreparable loss."

The Karnataka government is yet to announce formal state funeral arrangements. Sudhakar's passing leaves a vacancy in the state cabinet that the ruling Congress will need to address in the days ahead.