Champion of ‘Brand Bengaluru’ and Former Karnataka CM SM Krishna Passes Away
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and External Affairs Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna passed away on Tuesday past midnight. He was ninety two. After a prolonged illness Krishna who was invaluable in forming India’s foreign policy between 2009 and 2012 passed away at his Bengaluru home. He also served as the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008.
He will remain alive by his two children Malavika and Shambhavi Krishna as well as his wife Prema Krishna. His final ceremonies will take place in the Mandya district with full state honors tomorrow. Additionally, the Karnataka government has declared a three day state of mourning.
SM Krishna who played a significant role in transforming Bengaluru into a tech hub was born on May 1st 1932 in Somanahalli of the Mandya district. He joined the BJP at the end of his political career after a very long run in the Congress.
The Legacy of ‘Brand Bengaluru’
The most memorable aspects of Krishna’s life are his vision for “Brand Bengaluru” and his time as chief minister of Karnataka. He put regulations in place that encouraged growth and innovation because he saw the potential of the IT industry in Bengaluru. In 1999, his government formed the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) which featured prominent figures from the business such as Azim Premji from Wipro and Nandan Nilekani from Infosys. The goal of this project was to draft a strategy plan for Bengaluru’s growth as a center for IT.
Bengaluru became a viable alternative to Silicon Valley, California under his leadership. His administration prioritized public-private partnerships, IT companies simplifying procedures and infrastructure improvement. This proactive strategy established Bengaluru as a global center for innovation and technology while also creating a large number of job opportunities.
In a letter to the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at the time in 2022, Krishna urged action to protect “Brand Bengaluru” and recommended reviving the Bangalore Agenda Task Force to draft a development plan for the city.
Krishna remained committed to Bengaluru’s future even after he left active politics. He expressed worries about upholding “Brand Bengaluru” in the face of obstacles like urbanization and the strain on the infrastructure. His calculated actions set the stage for Bengaluru’s emergence to prominence as a center of global innovation. Krishna’s influence will continue to direct officials who want to maintain the city’s growth path as it develops.
Political Journey
His political career started in 1962 when he defeated the well known Congressman KV Shankar Gowda to win the Maddur assembly seat as an Independent candidate and then join the Karnataka assembly.
After winning the Mandya by election, he made his first appearance in parliament in 1968. However he resigned and went back to state politics in 1972. In 1980 he returned to the Lok Sabha. He spent some time with the Praja Socialist Party before joining the Congress in 1971.
He became the chief minister after leading the Congress to victory in 1999 as the head of the state unit. From 2004 until 2008, he was Maharashtra’s governor. He served as India’s External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012 while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s UPA government was in power.
In 2017 after decades with the Congress Party, Krishna switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Later he announced his retirement from active politics just a few months before the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023.
