SM Krishna, Former Karnataka Chief Minister, Passes Away At 92

Former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna passed away at the age of 92 at his residence early Tuesday morning, according to family sources. The veteran politician had been ailing for some time.

A family source confirmed to PTI that Krishna "breathed his last at 2:45 am," and his mortal remains are expected to be taken to Maddur later today.

Born in Somanahalli in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 1, 1932, Krishna was a prominent figure in Indian politics. He served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from October 1999 to May 2004.

Krishna also held significant positions in national politics, including as the External Affairs Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance government from 2009 to 2012, and as the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008.

After a long association with the Congress party, Krishna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2017, marking the end of a nearly 50-year affiliation with the Congress. He retired from active politics last year.

In recognition of his decades of public service, Krishna was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

He graduated from the Maharaja's College in Mysuru and obtained a law degree from the Government Law College in Bengaluru. He later went to the US to study at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas and the George Washington University.

(With PTI inputs)