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For those who had heard of him, Krishna was a rare breed of politician who, despite all odds, kept his head high above the waters and delivered through thick and thin.
SM Krishna passed away at 2:45 am on Tuesday at his Bengaluru residence. (File Image: PTI)
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, popularly known as SM Krishna, was more than just a politician. For those who truly knew him, he was a statesman, a visionary, a guide, and a man of honour. To those who worked with him and observed him as a politician, he is remembered as the man who transformed Bengaluru into the Silicon Valley of India. For those who had heard of him, Krishna was a rare breed of politician who, despite all odds, kept his head high above the waters and delivered through thick and thin.
As a veteran who has worked in three political parties — Praja Socialist Party during the initial years of his political career, Congress which he represented for over four decades, and then the BJP — all leaders have just one word to decry him across party lines: He is the Ajatashatru of Indian politics, a statesman without adversaries. Another person who has this moniker, other than Krishna, was another former chief minister, Dharam Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to condole the death of the former Karnataka Chief Minister, stating that “SM Krishna was a remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life.”
“He (SM Krishna) always worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others. He is fondly remembered for his tenure as Karnataka’s Chief Minister, particularly for his focus on infrastructural development. SM Krishna Ji was also a prolific reader and thinker,” wrote Modi.
“He is Karnataka’s Ajatashatru… he was my mentor during my initial days in the Congress and has always been my well-wisher. His foresight, disciplined life, gentlemanly conduct, and voracious reading are an example for budding politicians to follow,” were the words that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah used to describe the veteran politician who, towards the fag end of his political career, shifted to the BJP after spending close to five decades in the Congress.
A former bureaucrat who worked closely with Krishna called his style of working non-intrusive, one who gave a free hand to take decisions yet wanted out of the box ideas to develop the city and the state. “He would view issues from a world view and the. Try and implement it in a state predictive. He truly stood for the term Vasudhaiva kutumbakam,” he said.
AICC chief and fellow Kannadiga Mallikarjun Kharge broke down in tears when speaking about his ‘dearest friend’ Krishna, one whom he held in high esteem and visited him recently at a private hospital where the leader was admitted due to health complications.
Kharge’s son and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, speaking to News18, recalled how, when he became the IT minister, Krishna put his hand on his shoulder and gave him a pat on his back.
“Look, I don’t think people comprehend the potential Karnataka has to become a global hub. He said now that the party has given me the responsibility, I need to understand the potential of investments and employment it can generate. Through this, you can truly make it global, and people should realise this,” Kharge recounted.
Krishna also had a word of caution for Priyank. “He said there may be too much criticism that too much concentration is taking place in Bengaluru. Let me tell you one thing, Bengaluru is the anchor that can drive not just Karnataka but also the country to a certain extent,” said Kharge.
Karnataka’s IT minister said that Krishna has left a legacy behind for all to learn from — how to find a balance between welfare state and out-of-the-box progressive policies that very few people have been able to emulate.
Remembering SM Krishna, A Stalwart And The Last Gentleman Of Karnataka Politics
“He was a thorough gentleman. He served under Devraj Urs as a minister and later became Chief Minister and also a central minister with me in the Centre. He is a gentle person, a statesman, and a good administrator — one who is known to be a democratic politician who would allow ministers and officers to work independently with a common goal of developing Karnataka. He always had Karnataka in his mind, be it in the state or in the centre,” said former union minister and chief minister Veerappa Moily to CNN-News18.
Political observers speculate that Krishna might have been a contender for the Prime Minister’s post had the Congress managed to retain Karnataka in 2004, a notion Krishna himself acknowledged in his autobiography, Smrithivaahini.
‘More Than Just A Boss’
“More than just a boss and a mentor, he actually became a friend,” said Jayakar Jerome, a former senior bureaucrat who had also served as the Bengaluru Development Authority chairman when Krishna was the CM. He reminisced how Krishna was one of those old-school politicians who believed in giving everyone the freedom to work, whether it was his ministers or officers. “He never interfered or micromanaged, never sent notes or instructions about what to do. Personally, he never once asked me, ‘Why did you do this?’ or ‘Why didn’t you do that?’ He trusted me completely to do what I thought was right,” he told News18.
“For example, during his tenure, when the BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) was facing criticism and calls for closure, he called me and said, ‘I want you to set it right.’ I agreed on the condition that he would give me a free hand, and he kept his word. Rejuvenating the BDA was challenging, but under his leadership, we achieved remarkable results. The Outer Ring Road, which everyone sees today, was conceptualised during that time. More importantly, we allotted 60,000 sites to the general public—a feat the BDA hasn’t matched since,” he added.
He also played a pivotal role in restoring Lal Bagh’s iconic glasshouse. It was in disrepair, with more tin than glass. It was at his behest that it was renovated it to its former glory and today, the glasshouse stands as a testament to his vision and dedication, recalled Jayakar.
An interesting anecdote that Jayakar remembers is also how, when there were differences of opinion between him and Krishna at the time, over several issues, the CM Krishna gave a patient hearing and tried to resolve the issue with appropriate action. One such incident that came to light was when Jayakar had an open spat with a minister and the latter then complained to Krishna about the incident.
When Jayakar went to meet Krishna a few days later, he was surprised to hear that he had taken the decision to reassign the minister’s portfolio as he found Jayakar’s strategy more effective.
“It did cause heartburn in the system, but it was also to show how Krishna trusted me as an officer and would always stand with those doing the right thing. No amount of political pressure would budge him or his decisions until he saw truth in it,” recalled the former BDA Commissioner.
K Jairaj, a retired senior IAS officer who served as principal secretary when Krishna was the chief minister calls him “a figure of elegant constitutional governance… one who was always sartorially well-dressed, a man of the moment, who knew exactly what to speak to whom at what time.”
Recalling an incident when former Karnataka CM and Krishna’s political contemporary Ramakrishna Hegde had passed away, Jairaj said, “They wanted to use sandalwood as part of the final rites. Sandalwood is a controlled item, and the Forest Department had objected. But Krishna said that Hegde had been a CM who served the people of the state well and gave clearance.”
Krishna’s relationship with former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also something to cherish, said the senior former bureaucrat.
“He invited Mr Vajpayee to lay the virtual foundation stone for the Bangalore airport. And Mr Vajpayee was kind enough to come to Bangalore. When he pressed the button to lay the virtual foundation stone, Vajpayee commented that the Bengaluru airport was raised because of Krishna and Ganesha—Krishna meaning SM Krishna and Ganesha, the god invoked for blessings,” said Jairaj adding that the Bengaluru international airport is the contribution of Krishna of being the first PPP -model in the airport sector.
From Mandya to the World
Born on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli village in Mandya district, Karnataka, SM Krishna was the son of SC Mallaiah. He pursued his education at Mysore’s Maharaja’s College and Bengaluru’s Government Law College before heading to the United States. A Fulbright scholar, he studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he did a course in international law.
During his time in the United States, while studying for an LLM under the Fulbright Scholarship, SM Krishna was deeply inspired by then US President John F Kennedy. He saw Kennedy as his political idol, particularly drawn to his ability to build an emotional bond with the people and his unwavering commitment to equality and democratic principles.
In 1962, Krishna took the initiative to write to Kennedy, expressing his desire to support him during the US presidential campaign, specifically in areas with significant Indian populations. Kennedy not only welcomed the gesture but, after winning the election, personally thanked Krishna for his support, acknowledging his work.
Upon returning to India, Krishna began his career as a professor at Renukacharya Law College in Bengaluru. However, his true calling lay in politics.
Over a remarkable career spanning six decades, Krishna left an indelible mark on Indian politics and governance, transforming Bengaluru into a global IT hub, championing reforms, and becoming a symbol of modern, forward-thinking leadership. The 92-year-old veteran politician passed away at 2:45 am on Tuesday at his Bengaluru residence. His mortal remains will be taken to Maddur, his hometown in Mandya district, for the final rites.
The Early Political Journey
Krishna’s electoral career began in 1962 when he contested and won the Maddur Assembly seat as an independent, defeating Congress stalwart KV Shankar Gowda, for whom Jawaharlal Nehru himself had campaigned.
This win was seen as a statement of the young lawyer’s charisma and vision for the state. Initially aligning with the Praja Socialist Party, Krishna entered Parliament in 1968 by winning the Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. Over three terms as an MP from Mandya — first as a Socialist and later as a Congressman — Krishna emerged as a voice for Karnataka’s farmers and industrial growth.
In 1972, Krishna shifted his focus to state politics. Under the leadership of Karnataka’s legendary Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, he served as a minister handling commerce, industries, and parliamentary affairs, cementing his reputation as a skilled administrator.
Krishna’s personality was shaped by the discipline that was put in place at the Ramakrishna Ashrama, which he was acquainted with at a young age. He was a student at the Ashrama’s Students Home in Mysuru, where he stayed from the 6th standard through to his second PU (Pre-University) years.
The Face of Brand Bengaluru
Krishna’s crowning political achievement came in 1999 when he was appointed the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Tasked with leading a Congress government, he brought a fresh vision that sought to integrate Bengaluru with the world.
Krishna was instrumental in turning Bengaluru into India’s Silicon Valley. He promoted public-private partnerships and set up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF), inviting IT leaders like NR Narayana Murthy to help guide the city’s growth. The BATF’s vision played a key role in Bengaluru becoming a hub for technology, creating thousands of jobs and attracting global investment.
During his time in office, Krishna modernised the city’s infrastructure and introduced important reforms, such as digitising land records (BHOOMI) and restructuring the power sector. Although he faced criticism for focusing more on urban development than rural areas, he firmly believed that making Bengaluru a global city would ultimately benefit the whole state.
“SM Krishna was a giant among chief ministers of states in India. He was far ahead of everybody in his visionary approach, looking at global trends and understanding the future digital revolution. He understood clearly, as a well-educated, well-travelled person, that the world was undergoing rapid change, and the future for Karnataka lay in developing Bangalore and the technology and IT industry,” said Mohandas Pai, Chairman Aarin Capital and former CFO of Infosys.
Pai highlighted Krishna’s efforts to transform Bengaluru into a global hub for technology and innovation. “He worked with the local business community to set up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force, to reform governance in Bangalore, reshape the city, ensure global investments flowed in, expand local businesses, and create high-quality jobs. He put policies in place to welcome investors to the state and ensured Karnataka’s development, the benefits of which we are seeing today in a very massive way.”
Pai also credited Krishna’s industry minister, RV Deshpande, for bringing in major investors. “His industry minister, RV Deshpande, brought in Toyota and other industries. ITPL started growing in Bangalore, and today, Bangalore has become a global centre for technology. It owes a lot to SM Krishna,” Pai said.
Sharing his personal memories, Pai recalled, “I met him many times, and every time, he was cordial, curious to know what we thought about the future, and always welcoming and polite. When I went to invite him for my son’s wedding, he immediately agreed to come, even postponing his visit to Wimbledon. He was an avid tennis player and went to Wimbledon every year, but because he was fond of me, he postponed his visit to attend the wedding.”
Trying Times of Governance
As Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, SM Krishna faced some of the most challenging periods in the state’s history. His tenure was marked by crises, including the abduction of Kannada film icon Dr Rajkumar by forest brigand Veerappan, three years of severe drought, and the contentious Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu.
In 2000, when Kannada film star Rajkumar was kidnapped by forest brigand Veerappan, Krishna’s government successfully negotiated his release after 108 tense days, showing his determination under pressure.
Another challenging moment came during the Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu. Krishna led a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mandya, standing firm against the Supreme Court’s order to release water to Tamil Nadu. The march resonated with farmers, highlighting his strong connection with grassroots issues.
Despite these hurdles, Krishna is remembered for managing these challenges effectively and for introducing initiatives that elevated Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, to the global stage.
However, the Congress lost the 2004 Assembly elections, which were held during the drought, leading to Krishna’s appointment as Governor of Maharashtra and later as the Union Minister for External Affairs.
Krishna’s polished image and his focus on building “Brand Bengaluru” resonated with the city’s rapidly growing middle class. At the same time, he launched impactful rural initiatives, such as the Jalasamvardhane project to rejuvenate tanks and recharge groundwater, the Yashaswini health insurance scheme for cooperative members, the mid-day meal programme for government schoolchildren, land record digitisation, and affordable housing for the poor. However, his emphasis on Bengaluru’s development often overshadowed these rural initiatives.
Krishna also revitalised the Karnataka Lokayukta by appointing N Venkatachala, whose anti-corruption efforts brought the institution into the limelight. Krishna’s governance approach was balanced yet ambitious, leaving behind a mixed but significant legacy in Karnataka politics.
During the years of his influence, SM Krishna remained a respected figure in national politics, never really overshadowed by the personalities of his time. He remains one of the few politicians to have commanded respect across party lines, a rare distinction in the Indian political ecosystem.
Delayed Chief Ministership, Effective Leadership And More: Analyst Sandeep Shastri Reflects on SM Krishna
Political scientist Sandeep Shastri believes SM Krishna’s ascent to the Chief Ministership of Karnataka was delayed. “He got the Chief Ministership much later than it was due to him. He was a contender in the early 1990s, but it didn’t materialise. Instead, he had to settle for the position of Deputy Chief Minister under JH Patel before finally becoming Chief Minister,” Shastri remarked.
Shastri also highlighted the unfair assessment of Krishna’s term as Chief Minister, noting that he led Karnataka through a series of crises. “Soon after he took over, the Rajkumar kidnapping crisis began. Looking back, I think he handled it very effectively by avoiding statements that could escalate tensions and working silently behind the scenes,” Shastri observed.
According to Shastri, Krishna’s contributions to urban transformation were significant, but they ultimately became a double-edged sword. “If any Chief Minister contributed to urban transformation, it was Krishna. However, this also became his undoing. His defeat in 2004 was largely attributed to the perception that he neglected rural Karnataka. Symbolically, his decision to shift his constituency from Maddur, a rural area, to the urban Chamrajpet was effectively used by the opposition to reinforce this narrative,” Shastri explained.
Reflecting on Krishna’s post-chief ministerial career, Shastri said that his tenure as India’s External Affairs Minister was seen as a mixed one. “There were serious flaws and faults during his time as Foreign Minister, which overshadowed some of the positives in his political career,” he said.
Shastri shared a personal anecdote that highlighted Krishna’s introspective side. “Towards the end of his tenure as Chief Minister, he called me for a discussion on politics and elections. I pointed out that his shift from Maddur to Chamrajpet symbolised his urban focus. He smiled and said, ‘There are certain decisions in politics we need to take, which, in retrospect, may seem inappropriate. I hope this isn’t one of those decisions.'”
“Years later, during the gap between his governorship of Maharashtra and his appointment as Foreign Minister, he reminded me of that conversation. He said, ‘Remember what I told you? In retrospect, some decisions seem inappropriate—and this was one of them’,” Shastri added.
In 2009, Krishna was appointed as India’s External Affairs Minister in Manmohan Singh’s government. His tenure was marked by efforts to deepen India’s economic ties globally. A notable moment came in 2012, when he mistakenly read out the Portuguese foreign minister’s speech at the United Nations, a rare lapse that made headlines but did little to diminish his stature.
Krishna retired from active politics in 2013 but returned briefly in 2017, switching to the BJP after feeling sidelined by the Congress.
“I am 90 years old, we should be aware. You cannot act like a fifty in the 90s,” SM Krishna said after announcing his retirement during a visit to Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath adding that the decision was of his free will. He also urged not to bring the decision to the “High Command’s” attention as this was one made after much contemplation.
The Personal Side of Krishna
Krishna’s personal life was as dynamic as his political career. Married to Prema, the couple had two daughters, Malavika and Shambhavi. A tennis and yoga enthusiast, Krishna was known for his impeccable sartorial style, often sporting tailored suits and silk ties.
His love for Bengaluru wasn’t just professional, but deeply personal. An avid traveller and voracious reader, he envisioned the city as India’s answer to Singapore, a goal that guided much of his work as Chief Minister.
Krishna’s life was also marked by personal tragedy. The death of his son-in-law, VG Siddhartha, founder of Café Coffee Day, in 2019, deeply affected him, though he remained resilient.
SM Krishna’s legacy is one of transformation and modernisation. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, India’s second-highest civilian honour, he leaves behind a legacy that transcends party lines and political divides.
A Life Beyond Politics
SM Krishna had a deep passion for tennis. Even while serving as Chief Minister, he would visit the tennis court two to three times a week to play. For him, tennis was more than just a physical activity, it was a way to relieve the pressures of political life. His love for the sport kept him in good shape throughout his career.
Music was another favourite pastime of Krishna, and he often turned to it for solace during times of political stress. He would attend the concerts of legendary musicians like MS Subbulakshmi, Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hanagal, Mallikarjun Mansur, T Chowdaiah, Lalgudi Jayaraman, M Balamurali Krishna, and others.
