He was the Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, and played a pivotal role in transforming Bengaluru into a global IT hub.
Published Dec 10, 2024 | 8:26 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 10, 2024 | 9:42 AM
SM Krishna.
Former Karnataka chief minister, Governor and Union minister SM Krishna passed away at 2.30 am on Tuesday, 10 December, at his residence in Sadashivanagar in Bengaluru. He was 92.
He had been suffering from age-related ailments and had recently returned home after receiving treatment at the hospital. The mortal remains will be kept at his Sadashivanagar residence throughout the day for the public to pay their final respects.
He was the Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, and played a pivotal role in transforming Bengaluru into a global IT hub. He was also the External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012 under the UPA government.
Krishna also held the positions of Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 1993.
Initially a prominent Congress leader, Krishna joined the BJP in 2017, citing ideological differences. In 2023, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contributions.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government announced a three-day official mourning for the departed leader.
In a media statement, his long-time associate and relative Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the last rites will be conducted on Wednesday morning at his hometown, Somanahalli in Maddur taluk of Mandya district.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply shocked by the demise of Krishna.
“His contributions as a chief minister, Union minister, and statesman are unparalleled. Karnataka will forever be indebted to him for his significant role in the development of the IT-BT sector during his tenure as chief minister,” Siddaramaiah said.
“A seasoned politician, Krishna was a leader without enemies. During my early days in the Congress party, Krishna served as my mentor and was always a well-wisher. His vision, disciplined life, dignified conduct, and scholarly nature have been a source of inspiration for aspiring politicians. I share the grief of his bereaved family and admirers who are deeply saddened by his loss. I pray to the Almighty for his soul to rest in peace,” he added.
ಮಾಜಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಎಸ್.ಎಂ.ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಅವರ ಸಾವಿನಿಂದ ಆಘಾತಕ್ಕೀಡಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ರಾಜ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸಚಿವರಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಅವರು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿರುವ ಸೇವೆ ಅನುಪಮವಾದುದು. ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿ ಐಟಿ-ಬಿಟಿ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಗೆ ಅವರು ನೀಡಿರುವ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಾಗಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸದಾ ಋಣಿಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.
ಮುತ್ಸದ್ದಿ… pic.twitter.com/D5ysmhPcaz
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 10, 2024
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said Krishna’s vision and dedication shaped Karnataka’s progress.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri S.M. Krishna, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, whose legacy of leadership and public service has left an indelible mark on our state and nation. His vision and dedication shaped Karnataka’s progress and his corporate approach towards governance for Bengaluru endeared him to many. We are still reaping the benefits of his vision of positioning Bengaluru as a global city,” Kharge said.
“As we remember him, we not only grieve the loss of a towering figure in our politics but also celebrate a life well-lived in service to the people. May his soul rest in peace and his contributions continue to inspire generations to come,” he added.
Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri S.M. Krishna, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, whose legacy of leadership and public service has left an indelible mark on our state and nation.
His vision and dedication shaped Karnataka’s progress and his corporate approach towards… pic.twitter.com/z5hP4OnDwY
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) December 10, 2024
Born on 1 May 1932 at Somanahalli village in Karnataka’s Maddur taluk, Krishna had his early education in Mysuru before joining the University Law College. He later graduated from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, US and The George Washington University Law School in Washington DC, where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
Krishna debuted in electoral politics in 1962, winning the Maddur Vidhana Sabha seat as an independent, despite Jawaharlal Nehru campaigning for his heavyweight rival KV Shankar Gowda.
Though he tasted defeat five years later as a Praja Socialist Party candidate, he won the bypoll in the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 1968. He represented the seat in the Lower House for three consecutive terms, the last two being as a Congress representative.
In 1972, he resigned from the Lok Sabha, returned to state politics, and became a minister in the Devaraj Urs Cabinet.
He returned to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and was inducted as a minister in the Indira Gandhi cabinet. He had served as the speaker of the Karnataka Assembly and deputy chief minister. He also headed the Congress Karnataka unit as its president.
In 1999, the Congress came to power under his leadership, and he became the chief minister. He is credited with initiating several reforms, including ESCOMS and the digitisation of land records, and with encouraging private-public participation.
He was the minister for External Affairs in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet between 2009 and 2012.
In January 2017, he resigned from the Congress, protesting against the “state of confusion” in the party over the leadership. He joined the BJP in March 2017. In 2023, he retired from active politics.
Krishna was married to Prema, and they have two daughters.
