Former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna passed away at his residence early Tuesday morning, December 10, his family said. The 92-year-old veteran politician was ailing for quite some time, a family source said.
"S M Krishna is no more. He breathed his last at 2:45 am at his residence. Mortal remains are likely to be taken to Maddur today," the source said. Born in Somanahalli in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 1, 1932, Krishna also served as the External Affairs Minister and the Governor of Maharashtra. After a long stint in the Congress, Krishna joined the BJP towards the fag end of his political career.
Visuals From Outside His Residence in Bengaluru
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge expressed grief over passing away of former chief Minister SM Krishna. "Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri S.M. Krishna, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, whose legacy of leadership and public service has left an indelible mark on our state and nation."
"His vision and dedication shaped Karnataka’s progress and his corporate approach towards governance for Bengaluru endeared him to many. We are still reaping the benefits of his vision of positioning Bengaluru as a global city. As we remember him, we not only grieve the loss of a towering figure in our politics, but also celebrate a life well-lived in service to the people. May his soul rest in peace and his contributions continue to inspire generations to come," added Priyank Kharge.
"Saddened by the demise of former Chief Minister Shri S.M. Krishna. His unparalleled contributions as a Union Minister, Chief Minister, and leader have left an indelible mark. Karnataka will forever remain indebted to him, especially for his visionary leadership in transforming the IT-BT sector during his tenure as Chief Minister. A statesman and a leader without adversaries, Shri Krishna was a guide and mentor to me during my early days in the Congress party and remained a well-wisher throughout. His foresight, disciplined life, and kind nature are an inspiration for aspiring politicians. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers in this moment of grief. May his soul rest in peace," said Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in a post on X.