S.M. Krishna: Harbinger of reforms in all aspects of Karnataka’s administration

S.M. Krishna became chief minister, perhaps, at the wrong time in some sense. The administration faced many difficulties during 2001–02 as the government was busy in resolving the dispute over sharing of the Cauvery river water with Tamil Nadu. The kidnapping of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and release after 109 days in captivity, and also the murder of former minister H. Nagappa and the consequent public outcry dominated the government’s time and energies. Vagaries of monsoon caused farmers’ suicides. Mr Krishna was really hamstrung and was not in a position to fully implement his vision.

Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, or SMK, was one of the most well-educated, suave, sophisticated, soft-spoken politicians of Karnataka, who has served as member of both Houses of Karnataka legislature and Indian Parliament. He was a harbinger of reforms in all aspects of Karnataka’s administration.

In 1999, when he took over the reins of power from the Janata Dal government led by J. H. Patel, Karnataka’s economy was in dire straits. With the Congress securing power under his leadership, Mr Krishna became the Chief Minister (1999-2004). He opened the door to a closer relationship with the World Bank, civil society organisations and industry experts for introducing reforms. He was instrumental in introducing a range of reforms in fiscal and public expenditure management, administration, private sector development, and poverty and human development monitoring.