Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, former External Affairs Minister of India and Karnataka chief minister, passed away at 92.
Krishna served as Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004 and was credited with transforming Bengaluru into the Silicon Valley of India.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said in a post on X, “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.”
He added, “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. 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.”
Earlier this year, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his six-decade political career.
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, born on 1 May 1932, served as the EAM from 2009 to October 2012. He was the 10th Chief Minister of Karnataka, holding office from 1999 to 2004, and the 19th Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008.
In 2017, Krishna parted ways with the Congress and joined the BJP. Krishna took the oath of office as the Union Cabinet Minister of External Affairs in the Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 22 May 2009.
During his tenure as EAM, he visited several countries, including Tajikistan, in 2012 to strengthen economic and energy ties. Krishna resigned as External Affairs Minister on 26 October 2012, signalling his intention to return to Karnataka state politics.
(This is a developing story)
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