Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday addressed his political ambitions amid speculation regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential retirement.

When asked about public sentiments favoring him as a future prime minister, Adityanath clarified in an interview with the PTI news agency that he does not view politics as his primary career.

“I am the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a position given to me by my party to serve the people. Politics is not my sole focus; fundamentally, I consider myself a Yogi,” he explained.

Keeping future political opportunities open, he noted, “As long as I am in this role, I am committed to my responsibilities… but there will inevitably come a time when this phase concludes.”

Adityanath’s comments follow allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who claimed that the RSS, which guides the BJP’s ideology, aims for PM Modi to step down by September to allow for a transition in leadership. Raut further insinuated that during Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, he was reminded of an informal retirement age that some senior BJP leaders abide by, with Modi set to turn 75 in September.

Nevertheless, both the BJP and the RSS have strongly refuted such claims, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserting, “In 2029, we will once again see Modi ji as our Prime Minister.”

When queried about any possible disagreements with the BJP high command, Adityanath quickly dismissed the notion.

“Where would the question of differences even arise? I am in this position because of the party’s support. Can I continue in this role if I don’t align with the central leadership?” he said. “Additionally, the parliamentary board is in charge of distributing electoral tickets, and all matters are thoroughly deliberated within the board. While anyone is free to voice their opinions, that doesn’t make them definitive.”

Yogi Adityanath has been serving as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for nine years over two consecutive terms, establishing himself as the state’s longest-serving leader. His leadership has focused on law and order, Hindutva, popular policies, and economic initiatives.

His administration has been characterized by robust law enforcement measures, including controversial tactics such as the demolition of properties belonging to alleged offenders and police encounters. The state also celebrated major events, including the grand consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which drew an estimated 66 crore devotees over six weeks.

However, the BJP encountered setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning only 33 seats in Uttar Pradesh—29 fewer than in 2019. This decrease has led to speculation about possible internal dissent and potential rifts between Yogi Adityanath and the BJP central leadership.

A Delhi court on Tuesday directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra and others as part of an investigation into Mishra’s purported involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia concluded that there was a “prime facie” cognizable offense that necessitated further investigation. The judge noted, “It is evident that Mishra was present in the area during the time of the alleged offense… a deeper inquiry is warranted.”

This decision followed a petition filed by Mohammad Ilyas, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, seeking the FIR’s registration. The Delhi Police disputed this request, asserting that Mishra played no role in the riots.

Earlier in February, the court had instructed a complainant to approach the relevant MP/MLA Court to seek the filing of an FIR against BJP leader Kapil Mishra in relation to the north-east Delhi riots of 2020.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Udbhav Kumar Jain, in a decision dated January 18, had expressed concern that the Investigating Officer appeared more focused on police personnel and either neglected to investigate Mishra, an accused, or attempted to shield him from allegations.

The had court observed that the Action Taken Report (ATR) failed to address the accusations against Mishra, referred to as accused number three. It noted, “The alleged accused number three is in the public eye and subject to greater scrutiny; such individuals influence public sentiment and thus, are expected to exhibit responsible behavior within the framework of the Constitution of India.”

In his complaint against Mohs Wasim, Ilyas claimed he witnessed Mishra participating in an unlawful assembly and issuing threats to the public on February 24, 2020. He further stated that he and a group of men were coerced by police officers during the riots to sing the national anthem and “Vande Mataram,” an incident that gained viral attention on social media. Tragically, one member of this group, a 23-year-old, lost his life amid the unrest.

Ilyas asserted that he had previously attempted to file an FIR regarding this incident in 2020, but no action had been taken. Consequently, he sought the court’s intervention to register the FIR. The police’s report presented to the court maintained that the allegations against the officers involved were unfounded and inaccurate.

Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed pastor from Punjab renowned for his viral “Yeshu Yeshu” videos, received a life sentence on March 28, stemming from a 2018 rape case in Mohali. The verdict was declared by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar.

Singh, who gained notoriety for his flamboyant ministry and miracle claims, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 (rape), 323 (causing intentional harm), and 506 (criminal intimidation). His downfall is shocking, especially given his previous public persona as a charismatic spiritual leader.

Born into a Hindu Jat family in Yamunanagar, Haryana, Singh underwent a significant transformation 15 years ago when he converted to Christianity while serving time for a murder conviction. In 2016, he began his own ministry, the Church of Glory and Wisdom, where he drew thousands by claiming to perform miraculous healings.

His YouTube channel boasts 3.74 million subscribers, where he shares performances, particularly his signature song “Mere Yeshu Yeshu,” following each alleged miracle.

The case against Singh was initiated when a woman filed a complaint at the Zirakpur police station in 2018, accusing him of luring her with promises of foreign travel before sexually assaulting her in his Mohali home. The chilling details revealed that he recorded the incident and threatened to disseminate the video publicly if she did not comply with his demands.

In addition to the rape conviction, Singh faces scrutiny for his alleged involvement in another sexual harassment case, which was filed on February 28, 2025. This ongoing investigation highlights a troubling pattern in his behavior.

Adding to his notoriety, a video surfaced shortly before his sentencing, showing Singh in a heated altercation with a woman, during which he slapped her after an argument. The incident, captured on CCTV, quickly went viral, prompting police action.

Singh’s rise and dramatic fall serve as a cautionary tale, reflecting the complexities surrounding self-styled religious figures and their impact on society.