Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrives to pay his last respects to former chief minister S M Krishna at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Credit: DH PHOTO
Bengaluru: A quiet pall was cast over a growing crowd in Sadashivanagar’s roads in Bengaluru on Tuesday as people mourned the loss of Karnataka’s former chief minister S M Krishna.
Roads leading to Krishna’s residence, not very far from Raman Research Institute (RRI), were swarming with police and security personnel as they attempted to manage the mourning crowd that gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran leader. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was seen wiping away his tears while paying his last respects.
Politicians across party lines, bureaucrats, senior officers, businessmen, film fraternity and political leaders made up a majority of the crowd.
This included Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, BJP leaders B S Yediyurappa, R Ashoka, former CM Veerappa Moily, former MP Sumalatha, film industry bigwigs Shivarajkumar, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, Yuva Rajkumar, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and former cricketer Anil Kumble.
Police officers, staff and bystanders were served warm beverages, water and food as they watched well-wishers trickle in and out.
This, many veteran mediapersons said, was reminiscent of how Krishna treated journalists during press conferences or interviews at his residence.
Actress Ramya, who was one of the earliest visitors to witness Krishna’s mortal remains, broke into sobs and struggled to speak.
“Krishna was very interested in cultural activities. As a chief minister, he used to emphasise art and culture. He was a link to such activities in the state,” said director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Narayana Gowda recalled how the Cauvery river dispute became a burning issue during Krishna’s tenure as chief minister and how the latter handled it with care.