S.M. Krishna, Former Karnataka CM and Maharashtra Governor, Passes Away at 92

S.M. Krishna, the former chief minister of Karnataka, died early on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at home, according to his family.

According to a family source, the 92-year-old senior politician has been unwell for a while. He passed away at home around 2:45 in the morning. According to media sources, " His mortal remains are probably going to be taken to Maddur today." 

Who is S.M. Krishna?

Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna was born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna is survived by his wife, Prema, and his two daughters, Shambhavi and Malavika.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Mr. Krishna studied law in the United States, graduating from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

S.M. Krishna's Political Career

S.M. Krishna started his political journey in 1962 by winning the Maddur assembly seat as an independent candidate.
Initially associated with the Praja Socialist Party, he later joined the Congress Party, where he remained for nearly 50 years.

Key Roles in Congress:

• Served as Karnataka’s 16th Chief Minister from October 11, 1999, to May 28, 2004.
• Mr. Krishna served as the Deputy Chief Minister from 1993 to 1994 in addition to being a member of the Karnataka Assembly and Council.
• From December 1989 until January 1993, Mr. Krishna presided over the Karnataka Legislative Assembly as its speaker.
• Between 1971 and 2014, he also served on multiple occasions in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Held the position of External Affairs Minister in the UPA government (2009–2012) led by Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• Served as the Governor of Maharashtra during his tenure in the Congress.

In January 2017, Krishna resigned from the Congress, citing the party's lack of clarity regarding its need for mass leaders. By March 2017, he joined the BJP, marking a new phase in his political journey.

Retirement from Active Politics

In January 2023, S.M. Krishna announced his retirement from active politics, attributing his decision to his advanced age.

Prior to the 1999 assembly elections, when the party won and he was appointed chief minister, he served as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

Mr. Krishna is widely praised for boosting Bengaluru's IT sector during his tenure, helping the city become known as India's Silicon Valley.

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