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The 92-year-old veteran politician was ailing for quite some time, a family source said
Former Karnataka CM SM Kishna. (Photo: X)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna passed away at his home in Bengaluru Tuesday early morning, his family said.
The 92-year-old veteran politician had been ill for some time and had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.
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“SM Krishna has passed away. He breathed his last at 2:45 am at his residence. His mortal remains are expected to be taken to Maddur today,” the source told news agency PTI.
SM Krishna, renowned for his intellectual depth and administrative skill, had a distinguished political career that spanned over five decades.
Born on May 1, 1932, in Maddur, Karnataka, he completed his education at Maharaja’s College in Mysuru and the Government Law College in Bengaluru, before obtaining advanced degrees from Southern Methodist University in Texas and George Washington University in Washington, DC. A recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Krishna was among the most academically accomplished political leaders of his era.
He served as Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, playing a pivotal role in transforming Bengaluru into a global IT hub. His tenure as External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012 under the UPA government solidified his standing as a distinguished statesman. 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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017, citing ideological differences, and continued to be an influential figure in Karnataka politics until his retirement. In 2023, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contributions.
Krishna’s dedication to public service and his vision for Karnataka’s development left a lasting impact on the state’s governance. Even after his retirement from active politics, his deep connection to Karnataka’s cultural heritage remained evident, such as when he inaugurated the Mysuru Dasara festivities in 2021.
(With agency inputs)