Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister D Sudhakar died in the early hours of Sunday after a prolonged illness, according to a medical bulletin issued by the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bengaluru. He was 66.
Sudhakar, a senior Congress leader and MLA from Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, had been undergoing treatment for a lung infection for the past two months at KIMS, Electronic City.
“Honourable Minister Mr. Sudhakar D., aged 66, was declared dead at 3.15 a.m. on May 10, 2026, at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Electronic City,” Dr. R. Chinnadurai, Medical Director of the hospital, said in the bulletin.
Sudhakar is survived by his family and a long political career marked by his association with the Congress in Karnataka politics.
Mourning his demise, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was saddened to hear about Sudhakar's death. He said when he met him in the hospital, he felt he would recover.
"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. Despite the continuous efforts of doctors and the prayers of all of us, Sudhakar has left us today.
This is an extremely painful moment," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.
Condoling his death, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Sudhakar had rendered exemplary public service in a people-friendly manner.
In a post on 'X', Shivakumar said, "I pray that God grant eternal peace to D Sudhakar and give strength to his family to bear the grief. Om Shanti."
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, too expressed his grief over Sudhakar's demise.
(With inputs from PTI)