Bengaluru, Dec 10: Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, S.M. Krishna, has passed away at home early Tuesday morning, as confirmed by his family.
The 92-year-old seasoned politician had been facing health issues for some time, according to family sources.
“S.M. Krishna has left us. He took his last breath at 2:45 am at his residence. His body is expected to be taken to Maddur today,” the source indicated.
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna is survived by his spouse Prema and their two daughters, Shambhavi and Malavika.
Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, Mandya district, Karnataka, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna began his political journey in 1962, winning the Maddur assembly seat as an independent candidate.
He was involved with the Praja Socialist Party before joining the Congress party.
In March 2017, he switched to the BJP, concluding his nearly five-decade affiliation with the Congress.
In January 2017, Krishna declared his resignation from the Congress, expressing concerns about the party’s confusion regarding the need for mass leaders.
Last year in January, he also announced his retirement from active politics, citing age-related reasons.
Krishna served as the 16th Chief Minister of Karnataka from October 11, 1999, to May 28, 2004, representing Congress.
Additionally, he was the Governor of Maharashtra and held the position of External Affairs Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2009 to 2012.
A law graduate, Krishna completed his studies in the United States, graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., where he was recognized as a Fulbright Scholar.
From December 1989 to January 1993, Krishna was the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He was elected to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha multiple times between 1971 and 2014.
He held memberships in both the Karnataka Assembly and Council and served as Deputy Chief Minister from 1993 to 1994.
Krishna was also the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee ahead of the 1999 assembly elections, where his party emerged victorious, leading to his appointment as Chief Minister.
Many credit him with projecting Bengaluru onto the global stage, particularly by fostering the IT sector during his time, helping the city to evolve into India’s ‘Silicon Valley’. (Agencies)
