Former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, a towering figure in Indian politics and a pioneer of Bengaluru’s transformation into a global tech hub, passed away at the age of 92. He breathed his last at his residence in Bengaluru at around 2:45 am, following a prolonged illness. The Karnataka government has declared three days of state mourning, and his last rites will be conducted with full state honours in Mandya district.
Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, Mandya district, SM Krishna’s illustrious career spanned six decades. A graduate of Maharaja’s College in Mysuru, he pursued law at the Government Law College in Bengaluru and later studied at Southern Methodist University and George Washington University in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar. His political journey began in 1962 when he won the Maddur assembly seat as an Independent, defeating prominent Congress leader KV Shankar Gowda.
SM Krishna joined the Congress in 1971 after a brief association with the Praja Socialist Party. In 1999, he led the Congress to a decisive victory in Karnataka and served as the Chief Minister until 2004. During his tenure, he focused on infrastructural development and made significant contributions to the IT and BT sectors, cementing Bengaluru’s status as India’s Silicon Valley. He later served as the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and as India’s External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012. Towards the end of his political career, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief at SM Krishna’s demise, calling him a “remarkable leader” and commending his relentless efforts to improve the lives of people. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lauded SM Krishna’s unparalleled contributions to the state’s development, particularly in the IT-BT sectors. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described him as a true leader whose friendship and dedication transcended political competition.
SM Krishna’s career was marked by several milestones, including his debut in Parliament in 1968 and his return to state politics in 1972. He re-entered the Lok Sabha in 1980 and played pivotal roles in both state and national politics. Remembered as a visionary thinker and prolific reader, SM Krishna leaves behind a legacy of transformative leadership and enduring contributions to Karnataka and India.
