Karnataka Minister D Sudhakar Passes Away; Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Pay Tribute

Last Updated:May 10, 2026, 13:33 IST

Karnataka minister D Sudhakar, 66, dies after prolonged illness, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala hails him as a lifelong dedicated Congressman and offers condolences.

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.

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.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the death of Karnataka Minister D Sudhakar and described him as a “torchbearer of Congress ideology".

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said Sudhakar had dedicated his life to serving the poor in Chitradurga and across Karnataka. “Deeply saddened by the passing of senior Congress leader and Karnataka Minister, D. Sudhakar ji," he said, while extending condolences to the late leader’s family and supporters.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief over the death of Sudhakar and said his relationship with the late leader went beyond politics.

In a post on X, Kharge said he shared a close personal bond with Sudhakar and his family and described his death as deeply painful. He said Sudhakar was an active and people-centric leader whose “dynamism and vibrant personality" had always stood out.

Kharge also recalled Sudhakar’s work in the cooperative sector and said the support he received from people beyond his own community reflected his secular values and public connect. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

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.

News india Karnataka Minister D Sudhakar Passes Away; Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Pay Tribute

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