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.

Ranveer Allahbadia, the podcaster at the center of a significant controversy due to his remarks on the show India’s Got Latent, recently submitted an undertaking to the Supreme Court in which he committed to ensuring that his podcast, The Ranveer Show, adheres to standards of decency. This undertaking was filed by senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud in response to the court’s earlier directives.

On March 7, Allahbadia, also a popular YouTuber, was questioned by Guwahati Police regarding the controversy. In his representation, Chandrachud sought a modification of the court’s mandate concerning the retention of Allahbadia’s passport, arguing that it was hindering his professional opportunities.

He explained that his work often involves international travel for interviews, which typically require extensive preparation over multiple meetings before recording sessions. The court expressed concerns that allowing Allahbadia to travel could interfere with the current investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Maharashtra and Assam governments, informed the court that the investigation is expected to be completed within two weeks.

The bench indicated that it would reconsider Allahbadia’s petition for the release of his passport at that time.

This case arose after Allahbadia made a controversial comment about “parents’ sex,” which ignited widespread criticism from members of the BJP and opposition MPs, leading to multiple FIRs being filed against him. He had previously appeared before the Mumbai cyber police in response to the allegations.

The Supreme Court had initially barred Allahbadia from airing any podcast episodes pertaining to his ongoing legal matters and also called for the development of a regulatory framework for social media content. While the court offered him interim protection from arrest in February, it condemned his comments as vulgar and indicative of a “dirty mind.”

On March 3, the court allowed Allahbadia to continue his podcast, The Ranveer Show, but stipulated that he must maintain a standard of “morality and decency” in his content moving forward.

The BJP on Tuesday seized the moment by sharing a viral clip of the viral girl from the CSK vs RR match, using it to mock the Congress-led Karnataka government. The jibe comes in response to the state’s recent decision to increase prices for Nandini milk, BMTC bus fares, and Namma Metro tickets, sparking widespread criticism.

Sharing the viral clip on X (formerly Twitter), the Karnataka BJP captioned, “That too, right after hikes in BMTC, Metro, and Milk prices!”

During the Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match, a female fan’s reaction to Dhoni’s departure captured attention online. Her expression, as Hetmyer caught a ball that Dhoni had hit, quickly became popular meme material across the internet.

Bengaluru residents are grappling with a wave of price hikes that have swept across essential services over the past year, from public transportation to household staples. The escalating costs of metro fares, bus tickets, milk, and electricity are placing a growing burden on daily commuters, families, and small businesses alike.

One of the steepest increases has come from the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), which rolled out a fare revision in February. The maximum fare for a metro ride jumped from ₹60 to ₹90, while the minimum balance required on smart cards doubled from ₹50 to ₹90. This adjustment translates to a 50-90% fare hike, a significant blow for the thousands of daily passengers who depend on the Namma Metro as an affordable lifeline. For a city known for its traffic woes, the metro’s rising costs are forcing many to rethink their budgets.

The pain at the ticket counter doesn’t stop with the metro. In January, the Karnataka government greenlit a 15% fare increase for state-run transport corporations, directly impacting the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). As a result, bus commuters—many of whom rely on BMTC services to navigate the city—are facing higher prices. An ordinary daily pass now costs ₹80, up from ₹70, while a weekly pass has risen from ₹300 to ₹350. Monthly pass holders, including students and regular travelers, are shelling out ₹1,200, compared to ₹1,050 previously. The fare surge is yet another hurdle for those already stretched thin by rising living costs.

For households, the sting of inflation is also evident at the breakfast table. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has raised the price of its popular Nandini milk by ₹4 per litre, effective April 1. This marks the third hike in less than a year, following increases of ₹3 per litre in July 2023 and ₹2 per litre in June 2024. A litre of Nandini toned milk, which retailed for ₹40 last year, now carries a ₹46 price tag. While KMF insists its rates remain competitive with brands like Amul and Heritage, the steady upward trend has left consumers frustrated and budgets tighter than ever.

Adding to the financial squeeze, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved higher fixed charges for electricity consumers over the next three years. The new rates, set to appear in bills starting May, will impact households and businesses across the state. However, there’s a silver lining for some: beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides free electricity, will be shielded from these increases. For everyone else, the rising cost of power is yet another expense to juggle.