'People's anger forced Cong to change CM in Karnataka': PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Congress was forced to change its chief minister in Karnataka due to public anger against the state government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.The prime minister made the remark while making a broader point on India’s shift away from "negative politics."He was speaking at an event in Surat, in his home state of Gujarat.“There is immense resentment among the people of Karnataka regarding the Congress government, and that is precisely why the party had to change its chief minister there,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.He described India as a country of citizens “full of aspirations.”“India has moved far beyond negativity; this is a nation defined by optimism and fuelled by extraordinary aspirations. Its citizens are filled with dreams and resolve, and the people are committed to transforming that resolve into reality. When the collective will of the nation is so determined, it can achieve any goal and therein lies India’s true strength,” the PM added.In Karnataka, DK Shivakumar succeeded rival Siddaramaiah as chief minister on Wednesday, ending a prolonged leadership tussle that had continued since the Congress returned to power in May 2023 after defeating the BJP.The Congress leadership had initially chosen the veteran Siddaramaiah as chief minister, while Shivakumar was appointed deputy chief minister with an understanding that he would take over during the second half of the five-year term.The dispute escalated after Siddaramaiah did not step down upon completing 2.5 years in office in November last year.In late May, the party leadership resolved the issue by persuading Siddaramaiah to step aside and elevating Shivakumar to the top post.