A STATESMAN WHO TOOK CHALLENGES IN HIS STRIDE

TWO decades after his tenure as Chief Minister ended in 2004, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna is remembered for transforming Bengaluru into the country's IT capital.

- RAMU PATIL

As CM from October 1999 to May 2004, Krishna contributed significantly to making the state capital investor-friendly and pushed infrastructure development. He envisioned developing Bengaluru on the lines of Singapore.

The suave US-educated Krishna retained his political aura among the urban middle class even after he retired from active politics citing age as the reason. The 92-year-old leader known for his impeccable sartorial tastes had held many high offices in the state and the Union Government. Perhaps he was among the few leaders who served as members of both Houses of Parliament and the State Legislature.