Obituary | D. Sudhakar turned political adversities into advantages

Karnataka Planning Minister Dasharathaiah Sudhakar, who died on Sunday, May 10, 2026, was a fourth-time MLA who turned political adversities into advantages.

Mr. Sudhakar, who used to keep a low profile, was first elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Challakere in 2004 on a Congress ticket. He then shifted to nearby Hiriyur as it split into Chalakere ST.

When the Congress refused to buy him a ticket from Hiriyur in 2008, he contested as an independent and managed to defeat the Congress candidate. The Congress’ refusal to give him a ticket turned out to be his advantage as the BJP, falling short of a majority, took its support to the BS Yediyurappa-led government and offered him a ministerial berth. This marked the beginning of his political development.

However, he returned to Congress in 2013 and successfully challenged his nomination. In 2016, he was appointed president of the state-organized KEONICS. He also became the chairman of Chitradurga District Credit Cooperative Bank.

However, he lost the polls in 2018 and managed to win again in 2023 and became Minister again.