EX-KARNATAKA Chief Minister and former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna died here early on Tuesday, leaving behind a rich legacy of statesmanship and public service that saw the 92 year-old leader scale heights of political achievements. Suave, sophisticated and a man with enviable academic credentials, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna started off his political innings as an independent MLA from Maddur in 1962, stunning a then Congress veteran in the elections. In his later years, he went on to become the State’s Chief Minister and also the country’s External Affairs Minister. Tributes poured in for the former Maharashtra Governor, who breathed his last at 2.45 am on Tuesday. Krishna had been ailing for quite some time. The Karnataka Government announced a 3-day State mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran leader. His last rites will be performed with full State honours at his native in Mandya district on Wednesday.

 

The State mourning is from December 10 to 12, an official notification said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress President Mallijkarjun Kharge and other leaders paid rich tributes to Krishna. “Shri SM Krishna Ji was a remarkable leader, admired by people from all walks of life. He always worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others,” Modi said in a post on X. “He is fondly remembered for his tenure as Karnataka’s Chief Minister, particularly for his focus on infrastructural development. Shri SM Krishna Ji was also a prolific reader and thinker,” the PM said. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Krishna has left behind a rich legacy of statesmanship and public service. Kharge hailed the former CM as a true champion of development who made significant contributions to the State and the nation. “His vision, dedication and exceptional public service played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s progress, while his approach to balance welfare with development placed a global stamp on Bengaluru’s transformative paradigm. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers,” he posted on ‘X’.