Karnataka Minister D Sudhakar Passes Away; Randeep Surjewala Pays Tribute

Karnataka minister D Sudhakar passed away in the early hours of Sunday after prolonged illness. He was 66.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala mourned Sudhakar’s death and described him as a “lifelong dedicated Congressman” who remained committed to the party’s ideology and the people of Hiriyur and Chitradurga.

In a post on X, Surjewala said Sudhakar was known for his “smiling mannerisms, simplicity and grassroots connect” and always kept the cause of the people and Congress workers above all else. “He will be deeply missed by every Congressman & women,” he said.

Extremely sad to hear about the death of Karnataka Minister and a lifelong dedicated Congressman, Sh. D. Sudhakar.

Committed to the Congress ideology, forever devoted to People

of Hiriyur and Chitradurga; he stood out for his smiling mannerisms, simplicity and grassroots… pic.twitter.com/AqEU45SDFF

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 10, 2026

Surjewala also expressed condolences to Sudhakar’s family, loved ones and supporters across Karnataka. “May God give them strength in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!” he added.

Sudhakar was undergoing treatment at the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Electronics City, where he had been under intensive care for the past several weeks, Mathrubhumi reported.

D Sudhakar, who served as Karnataka’s Minister for Planning and Statistics, had been battling a severe lung infection since the end of March. His condition deteriorated last week, following which he was placed on advanced life support systems, including ECMO/ECLS support.

In a medical bulletin, Dr R Chinnadurai, Medical Director of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, said, “Honourable Minister Mr. Sudhakar D, 66 yrs old, was declared dead at 3.15 am on 10.05.2026 in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Electronic City.”

A senior Congress leader from Chitradurga district, Sudhakar was the sitting MLA from the Hiriyur Assembly constituency. He was elected from Challakere in 2004 and from Hiriyur in 2008 and 2013. During his political career, he handled several important portfolios, including Social Welfare and Youth Affairs.

Leaders across party lines condoled his death, remembering him as an experienced legislator with strong grassroots connect.