SM Krishna, ex-EAM & architect of Bengaluru's IT revolution, dies at 92

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and seasoned statesman Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, fondly known as SM Krishna, passed away early Tuesday at the age of 92.

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The veteran leader, whose political career spanned over five decades, left behind a storied legacy of statesmanship, infrastructural vision, and public service.

Krishna breathed his last at 2:45 am after a prolonged illness, leaving the political landscape of Karnataka and India in mourning. The Karnataka government declared a three-day state mourning from December 10 to 12 as a mark of respect to the iconic leader. His last rites will be performed with full state honours in his native village in Mandya district on Wednesday.

Leaders across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Modi praised Krishna as a "remarkable leader", whose tenure as Karnataka's Chief Minister was marked by a strong focus on infrastructure development and transformative growth.

"Shri SM Krishna Ji worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others. His vision for Bengaluru as an IT hub remains an enduring legacy," Modi wrote on X.

Kharge described Krishna as a "true champion of development", who placed Karnataka on the global map. "His approach to balance welfare with development transformed Bengaluru into a global tech hub," Kharge added.

In the ongoing Karnataka Assembly session in Belagavi, leaders from all parties remembered Krishna as a “gentleman politician” and lauded his pivotal role in making Bengaluru the Silicon Valley of India.