Former Karnataka CM SM Krishna passes away at 92

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and former Minister of External Affairs, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna passed away at his Bengaluru residence, on December 10. 

As per a family source, the 92-year-old veteran politician who had played a key role in shaping India’s foreign policy from 2009 to 2012.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of SM Krishna on X, describing him as a "remarkable leader" admired by people across different walks of life. "SM Krishna Ji was a remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life," PM Modi said.

"I have had many opportunities to interact with Shri SM Krishna Ji over the years, and I will always cherish those interactions. I am deeply saddened by his passing. My condolences to his family and admirers," he added.

Expressing shock over the death of SM Krishna, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Krishna's service as a State and Union Minister and Chief Minister is unparalleled. Karnataka will always be indebted to him for his contribution to the growth of the IT-BT sector, especially as Chief Minister."

Former Prime Minister HD Devegowda condoled SM Krishna's death on X, and said, "I am saddened by the passing away of SM Krishna, my friend and longtime Karnataka colleague."

Born in Somanahalli in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 1, 1932, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna started his career in electoral politics in 1962 by winning the Maddur assembly seat as an independent.

He was then associated with the Praja Socialist Party before joining the Congress.

He later joined the BJP in March 2017, ending his nearly 50-year-long association with the Congress.

He announced his resignation from the Congress in January 2017, saying the party was in a “state of confusion” on whether it needed mass leaders or not.

Krishna in January last year announced that he was retiring from active politics, citing his age as the reason.

He was the 16th Chief Minister of Karnataka from October 11, 1999, to May 28, 2004, (from Congress).

He also served as the Governor of Maharashtra and was the External Affairs Minister during the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2009 to 2012.

A law graduate, Krishna studied in the US graduating from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and The George Washington University Law School in Washington DC, where he was a Fulbright Scholar.

Krishna served as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from December 1989 to January 1993. He was also a member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha several times between 1971 and 2014.

Krishna was a member of both the Karnataka Assembly and Council and also served as Deputy Chief Minister (1993 to 1994).

He was Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president ahead of the 1999 assembly polls in which the party won and he became the chief minister.

Krishna is credited by many for putting Bengaluru on the global map as a fillip given to the IT sector during his tenure resulting in the city growing as India's Silicon Valley'.