One-time Modi critic Girish Karnad praises PM, criticises Cong

Jnanpith award-winning director and playwright Girish Karnad on Saturday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has provided good governance to the people.[caption id="attachment_1606129" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Girish Karnad said Modi was providing good governance to the people. IBNLive[/caption]"Narendra Modi is our Prime Minister, and we should accept it. I had expressed reservations about the post-Godhra carnage in Gujarat when Modi was chief minister. But after that, there have been no incidents to bring him a bad name. He has provided good governance," said Karnad in a report in The Times of India.Karnad also criticised the Congress, saying that "the people's disappointment over the performance of the Congress government at the Centre contributed greatly to Modi's success...People's thinking across the nation was alike. That's the beauty of democracy."Karnad is known to have been a severe Modi critic before and during the Lok Sabha elections. Along with writer UR Ananthamurthy, he had spoken out vehemently against Modi. He had even campaigned for Congress candidate for Bangalore South Nandan Nilekani.According to a report in The Hindu, , in a response to' questions about his sudden change in stance on Modi, Karnad said, "As citizens we have to respect the people’s verdict and give due respect to our elected Prime Minister. We are living in a democratic system, and I cannot say I will not accept him as Prime Minister."Karnad added that it was too early to pass a judgement on Modi's government. “Let us give him time,” he said.