Mysore/Mysuru: Former Assembly Speaker Krishna (80), widely known as K.R. Pete Krishna, passed away at his residence in Kuvempunagar yesterday following brief illness.

He leaves behind his wife Prof. Indira, daughter Manjula, son-in-law Sridhar and a host of relatives and friends.

A native of Kottamaranahalli village in Santhebachahalli  Hobli of K.R. Pet taluk in Mandya district, Krishna was a three-time MLA from K.R.Pet, having got elected on a Janata Party ticket in 1985, on a Janata Dal ticket in 1994 and on a JD(S) ticket in 2004.

He served as Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister in S.R. Bommai cabinet in 1988 and was elected as MP from Mandya in the 1996 Lok Sabha polls. 

He had served as Assembly Speaker from 2004 to 2008, when he upheld the dignity of the Speaker’s office. He tasted defeat in the 2008 Assembly polls and also in 2013, contesting as an independent candidate as the JD(S) denied him a ticket. Later, he was in the Congress for a brief period, before staying away from active politics.

Krishna, who started his career as an advocate and entered politics through Janata Party as a Taluk Board member,  was known for his simplicity and humility and travelled in KSRTC buses even as a Legislator.

His body was kept at his residence in Kuvempunagar yesterday. Hundreds of his followers visited his residence and paid their last respects. 

Opposition Leader and former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, District Minister S.T. Somashekar, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports K.C. Narayangowda, MLAs G.T. Devegowda and S.R. Mahesh were among the political  leaders who paid their last respects to the departed leader.

Last rites were performed at his native village Kottamaranahalli  in K.R. Pet taluk today, according to family sources.