Former Karnataka CM SM Krishna dies at 92

Former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna died in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday. He was 92 years old.

Krishna had been unwell for the past few months, as per reports. He died at his home in the city at around 2.45 am.

Krishna was born in Somanahalli in Mandya district on May 1, 1932. He graduated from Maharaja’s College in Mysuru and earned a law degree from Government Law College in Bengaluru. He later went to the United States for further studies.

He began his political career began in 1962 after winning the Maddur Assembly constituency as an Independent.

He subsequently joined the Congress and served as the chief minister of the state from 1999 to 2004. Krishna went on to become the governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008. In 2009, he was appointed as the external affairs minister.

Krishna is credited with growing the information technology sector of Bengaluru, making it a key part of the city’s economy.

In 2017, he left the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, for his contribution to Indian politics over six decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Krishna as a “remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life”.

“He always worked tirelessly...

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