Former Union external affairs minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, who left his indelible mark in Karnataka politics ultimately reached the national centre stage.
Owing to his vision, Bengaluru has transformed into a global information technology hub.
He passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.
The Karnataka government announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran leader.
The mourning period is from December 10 to 12. Offices, schools and colleges was closed today, according to an official statement.
Krishna was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, which is India’s second-highest civilian honour.
He served as Karnataka’s chief minister from 1999 to 2004 and as India’s external affairs minister from 2009 to 2012 as part of a six-decade-long political career.
Krishna won the assembly elections as an independent candidate from Maddur in 1962. This came as a surprise for Congress veteran and sitting minister HK Veeranna Gowda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress president Mallijkarjun Kharge and several other leaders paid rich tributes to Krishna, who left the Congress in 2017 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“Shri SM Krishna Ji was a remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life. He always worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others,” Modi said on X. “He is fondly remembered for his tenure as Karnataka’s chief minister, particularly for his focus on infrastructural development. Shri SM Krishna Ji was also a prolific reader and thinker,” the PM said.
“His vision, dedication and exceptional public service played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s progress, while his approach to balance welfare with development placed a global stamp on Bengaluru’s transformative paradigm. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers,” Kharge said on X.
Born on May 1, 1932, in Mandya district, Krishna’s early life was defined by academic excellence.
The son of SC Mallaiah, he earned a law degree from Bengaluru’s Government Law College and went on to become a Fulbright Scholar at Southern Methodist University and George Washington University in the United States.
Krishna often cited Kennedy as his political ideal.
Upon returning to India, Krishna initially worked as a professor of international law at Renukacharya Law College in Bengaluru. However, his passion for public service led him to enter politics in 1962.
Krishna quickly rose through the political ranks, entering national politics in 1968 as a Lok Sabha member.
Representing Mandya for two consecutive terms, he later returned to Karnataka politics in 1972.
Over the years, he held key positions, including minister for commerce, industries, and parliamentary affairs, speaker of the Karnataka assembly, and Rajya Sabha member.
As chief minister from 1999 to 2004, Krishna led a period of transformation in Karnataka.
Under his leadership, Bengaluru became synonymous with India’s tech revolution. His governance emphasised public-private partnerships and corporate-style management, earning global recognition for “Brand Bengaluru”.
Krishna’s tenure faced significant challenges, including the kidnapping of Kannada actor Rajkumar by the notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan.
While negotiations secured the actor’s safe return, the episode dented the government’s image. His tenure also saw standoffs between Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water-sharing issue.
In 2004, Krishna was appointed governor of Maharashtra, serving until 2008. During his tenure, he played a key role in approving the controversial ban on dance bars.
Returning to national politics in 2009, Krishna became India’s external affairs minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He managed key diplomatic challenges, representing India on the global stage.
In 2017, Krishna left the Congress and joined the BJP at the age of 84, citing dissatisfaction with the Congress’s direction. Though he maintained a low profile after the switch, he participated in campaigning during the 2019 elections. In January 2023, Krishna retired from active politics.
President Droupadi Murmu noted his unwavering commitment to public service. “As chief minister of Karnataka, he earned people’s affection for his commitment to development of the state,” she said on X.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged Krishna’s pivotal role in shaping the state’s IT and biotech sectors, calling him “a statesman without enemies.” “Karnataka will always remain indebted to his contributions, particularly towards the growth of the IT and BT sectors,” he said.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda remembered Krishna as a long-time colleague and friend, despite their political differences. “We started out in politics around the same time and pursued different approaches to development and governance,” Gowda said.
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