Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, former External Affairs Minister and Chief Minister of Karnataka passed away at his Bengaluru residence in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 92 and had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.  

Known for his intellectual prowess and administrative acumen, S M Krishna had an illustrious political career spanning over five decades.

Born on May 1, 1932, in Maddur, Karnataka, Krishna pursued his education at Maharaja’s College in Mysuru and the Government Law College in Bengaluru before earning advanced degrees from Southern Methodist University in Texas and George Washington University in Washington, DC. A recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Krishna was one of the most academically accomplished leaders of his time.

He served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, during which he was instrumental in transforming Bengaluru into a global IT hub. His tenure as External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012 under the UPA government further cemented his reputation as a distinguished statesman. He also held the positions of Governor of Maharashtra (2004–2008) and Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (1989–1993).

After years of service in the Congress, Krishna switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017 due to ideological disagreements. He remained a prominent player in Karnataka politics till his retirement. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2023 in appreciation of his contributions.

Krishna's dedication to public service and his vision for Karnataka had a lasting impact on the growth and governance of the state. His inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations in 2021 demonstrated his continued strong ties to Karnataka's cultural legacy even after he retired from active politics.