Former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna Dies At 92
The former Karnataka chief minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, or SM Krishna who is known for transforming Bengaluru into the Silicon Valley of India, died on Tuesday at 2:45 am. He was 92 years old.
Krishna served as the chief minister of Karnataka from October 11, 1999 to May 20, 2004. After serving a long stint with the Congress, he later joined the BJP towards the end of his political career. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was shocked by the death of Mr Krishna and that his service as a State and Union Minister and Chief Minister is unparalleled. “Karnataka will always be indebted to him for his contribution to the growth of the IT-BT sector, especially as Chief Minister,” he said.
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The former Karnataka Chief Minister and former external minister was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to public affairs in 2023. Following his tenure as chief minister, he was appointed as the governor of Maharashtra, serving from December 6, 2004 to March 8, 2008. He had held several key positions in the Union Cabinet, including serving as the Union Minister of External Affairs.
Born on May 1, 1932, SM Krishna was the son of the late SC Mallaiah, from Somanahalli in Mandya’s Maddur Taluka. He got married to Prema, with whom he has two daughters, Malavika and Shambhavi.
He graduated from Maharaja’s College in Mysore, obtained a law degree from Bengaluru’s Government Law College, and then pursued his education at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, USA and later at George Washington University.
Then, in India, he worked as a professor of International law at Renukacharya Law College, Bangalore. Krishna was first elected to the legislative assembly in 1962.
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It was during his tenure as the chief minister of Karnataka that the Information Technology (IT) sector in Bengaluru grew as an alternative to California’s Silicon Valley, generating jobs for several thousands of youths.
