Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr D Sudhakar passed away on Thursday at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was 63 years old. The minister had been undergoing treatment for COVID-19 and was on ventilator support for the past few days.
Final Journey
Dr Sudhakar's body was taken to his residence in Chikkaballapur for public viewing before the cremation. The Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings during the mourning period.
Political Career
A former professor of medicine, Dr Sudhakar entered politics in 2008 and won the Chikkaballapur assembly seat on a Congress ticket. He later joined the BJP in 2019 and was appointed as the Health Minister in the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet. He played a key role in the state's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
- He was instrumental in setting up COVID-19 care centres and ramping up testing facilities in Karnataka.
- He also oversaw the vaccination drive in the state.
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed deep grief, calling Dr Sudhakar a dedicated leader. Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Siddaramaiah also paid tributes.
Dr Sudhakar is survived by his wife and two children. His sudden demise has left a void in Karnataka politics and the healthcare sector.
