Bengaluru: Somannahalli Mallaiah Krishna, fondly known as S.M. Krishna, a towering political figure and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, passed away at the age of 92. He breathed his last at 3 a.m. on Tuesday due to age-related health issues, leaving behind a legacy of over six decades in public service.
Krishna began his political journey in 1962 as an independent MLA from Maddur in the Karnataka Assembly. After a brief stint with the Praja Socialist Party (PSP), he joined the Indian National Congress in 1971, marking the beginning of a long association with the party. Throughout his career, Krishna held several prominent positions, including Union Cabinet Minister, Karnataka Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister, and eventually, the Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004.
As Chief Minister, Krishna ushered in a wave of modernization and IT-driven development in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, earning the city its moniker as India’s tech hub. Following his tenure as CM, Krishna served as the Governor of Maharashtra (2004–2008) and later as India’s Minister of External Affairs (2009–2012).
In 2017, Krishna resigned from the Congress Party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), continuing to inspire political discourse with his wisdom and experience.
Krishna’s contributions to Indian politics, spanning state governance and foreign policy, have left an indelible mark. His demise is a profound loss for Karnataka and the nation, and leaders across the political spectrum have paid heartfelt tributes to his exemplary service.
