Former Karnataka Chief Minister and veteran statesman SM Krishna passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 92. According to this family, Krishna, who had been ailing for some time, breathed his last at 2:45 am at his residence. His mortal remains are expected to be taken to his hometown of Maddur later today.
Who was SM Krishna?
Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, Mandya district, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna began his political journey in 1962, winning the Maddur assembly seat as an independent candidate. Over the decades, he played a pivotal role in shaping Karnataka’s political and economic landscape.
Krishna’s illustrious career saw him serve in various capacities, including Chief Minister of Karnataka (1999-2004), Governor of Maharashtra, and India’s External Affairs Minister (2009-2012) under the UPA government. His tenure as Chief Minister is widely credited with putting Bengaluru on the global map, pushing its growth into India’s “Silicon Valley” through a focus on the IT sector.
A Fulbright Scholar, Krishna pursued law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. His academic background laid the foundation for a statesmanship marked by progressive policies and a global outlook.
Krishna held numerous key positions, including Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister and member of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He also led the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee to victory in the 1999 assembly elections.
In 2017, after nearly five decades with the Congress, Krishna joined the BJP, citing dissatisfaction with the Congress’s direction. Last year, he announced his retirement from active politics due to advancing age.
Krishna is survived by his wife Prema and two daughters, Shambhavi and Malavika. His contributions to Karnataka and Indian politics remain unparalleled and his vision for Bengaluru’s transformation into a global IT hub has left an enduring legacy.
(With inputs from agencies)