New Delhi: Veteran Indian politician and former EAM and Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna passed away peacefully at his Bengaluru residence at the age of 92. His death marks the end of a long and impactful career spanning six decades in Indian politics, leaving behind a legacy shaped by both significant achievements and notable controversies.
Krishna breathed his last around 2:45 am, succumbing to an illness that had reportedly been plaguing him for some time. His passing is mourned across Karnataka and India, where he served in various prominent roles including Chief Minister of Karnataka (1999-2004), Governor of Maharashtra (2004-2008), and Union Minister of External Affairs (2009-2012). In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, a testament to his long and distinguished career.
Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, Mandya district, Krishna was a lifelong Congress leader before joining the BJP later in his career. His academic background included a law degree from the Government Law College, Bengaluru, and further studies at Southern Methodist University and George Washington University in the United States. He was instrumental in Bengaluru’s transformation into a technology hub, earning him recognition as a key architect of India’s “Silicon Valley.”
His tenure as Karnataka’s chief minister saw Bengaluru emerge as a major IT centre. However, his time in office was also marked by several controversies, including the Abdul Karim Telgi stamp paper scam, land scams, the handling of actor Rajkumar’s kidnapping, and the Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu. Critics frequently accused him of prioritising Bengaluru at the expense of rural Karnataka, earning him the moniker “Chief Minister of Bengaluru.”
Krishna’s political journey began in 1962 when he won the Maddur assembly seat as an Independent. His rise within the Congress party was significant, leading to his chief ministership. However, his later years saw a decline in his political influence within the state and the national Congress. He ultimately stepped down as Union Minister in 2012 and witnessed the Congress’s significant defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
