Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Union Minister SM Krishna passed away on Tuesday (December 10) morning at his residence in Sadashivnagar, at the age of 92.
The Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning, from December 10 to 12, following his demise. According to the notification, schools, colleges and government offices will remain closed tomorrow.
Krishna had been suffering from a prolonged illness and was earlier hospitalized in August.
His mortal remains will be kept at his residence all day for public darshan and the funeral will take place at 4pm, with full state honours on Wednesday (December 11), Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and his longtime friend DK Shivakumar said.
In 2023, SM Krishna was awarded the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan.
Krishna’s formative years
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna was born to late SC Mallaiah, on May 1, 1932 in the Mandya district in Karnataka. He graduated from Mysore’s Mahraja College, and later pursued a law degree from Government Law College in Banagalore.
He further pursued degrees from the Southern Methodist University and later at the George Washington University.
He married Prema with whom he has two daughters, Malavika and Shambhavi.
Prior to joining poltics, he worked as a professor of International law at the Renukacharya Law College in Bangalore.
Political career
Throughout his political career spanning more than 60 years, Krishna has held distinct political portfolios. He served as the Minister of External Affairs from 2009 to 2012, under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the second term of the UPA Government. He served as the 10th Chief Minister of Karnataka, from 1999-2004, and the 19th Governor of Maharashtra from 2004-2008.
SM Krishna had served as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1989-1993. He had been a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for five times, since his electoral victory as an independent MLA from Maddur constituency in 1962.
He later joined the Indian National Congress in 1971. He was a member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at various times from 1971 to 2014.
Among his diverse political positions, he was also appointed as the 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka in 1993. He served
In 2017, he exited the Congress after 46 years, stating it was in a “state of confusion”, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In 2023, he announced his retirement from politics, citing age-related issues.
Transforming Bengaluru into IT hub
In 1999, he took over as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, and led the party to victory in the 1999 Karnataka Assembly Elections. He was appointed as the 10th Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He is credit for the significant transformation of the Information Technology (IT) sector in Bengaluru, as an alternative to California’s Silicon Valley, generating work opportunities for the youth.
Under his tenure, the city was put on a global map and promoted as “Brand Bengaluru”.
Krishna was a pioneer in the formation of Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) in 1999, an attempt at Public Private Partnership.
His notable initiatives include the power reforms with ESCOMS and digitization of land records (BHOOMI) among others.
Political and business community express condolences
Political and business leaders across the nation have expressed their grief over Krishna’s death.
Leaders across the spectrum, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers including Dr S Jaishankar, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Congress chief Mallikarajun Kharge, Former PM HD Devegowda, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi among others expressed profound sorrow over his demise.
PM Modi called him a prolific reader and thinker, remembering his interactions with him.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah quoted him as his guide and mentor. He highlighted his visionary leadership in transforming the IT-BT sector during his tenure as Karnataka CM.
Business leaders including Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw hailed him for his strong leadership positions and calling him one of the best Chief Ministers, citing his unforgettable legacy.
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