Former Karnataka chief minister and veteran politician Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, dubbed SM Krishna, died on Tuesday at the age of 92, making a good political career behind himself. Also credited with developing the slogan ‘Brand Bengaluru,’ Krishna was Karnataka’s chief minister between 1999 and 2004 and also performed many crucial roles. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 for his service in the public affairs category due to his important contribution to the sector.
Krishna was born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli Mandya. He was born as a son of SC Mallaiah. An eminent scholar completed his school education at Maharaja’s College, Mysore, passed law and graduated from the Government Law College, Bengaluru. He also attended Southern Methodist University, Dallas and George Washington University, USA. On his return to India, he joined as a professor of International Law in Renukacharya Law College Bangalore.
He started his political career in 1962 when he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He started national politics in 1968 as a member of Lok Sabha and shifted to state politics in 1972 when he held ministry portfolios of commerce, industries and parliamentary affairs. He then came back to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and served as the Minister of State for Industry from 1983 to 1984 and Finance from 1984 to 1985. He strengthened his position as a leader while serving as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 1992 and a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1996 to 1999.
He also served as a representative of India in the United Nations in 1982 and also participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar held in London in 1990. Before being the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012, Krishna was upset and left the Congress party in 2017 and joined BJP. His sixty-year career stands as testimony to his commitment to service to the people.
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