New Delhi: Yoga teacher Ramdev on Sunday cautioned that price rise across the country, if not controlled soon, may prove costly for the Narendra Modi government in the next general election.

Ramdev said he would not campaign for the BJP in the 2019 elections, unlike in 2014 when he actively worked in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Many laud the policies of the Modi government, but some need correction now.... Price rise is an big issue and Modiji will have to take corrective measures soon, failing which mehangai ki aag to Modi Sarkar ko bahut mehangi padegi (the fire of rising prices will prove very costly for the Modi government)," he said at the NDTV Yuva conclave.

Ramdev said the Prime Minister would have to initiate steps to bring down prices, including that of petrol and diesel, soon.

He sidestepped a question on if he still had faith in Modi, which he had reposed in 2014.

He said he was a centrist and no one should needle him as he has adopted " maun yoga" on many crucial issues. Ramdev said he was a strong nationalist.

Asked if he would campaign for the BJP this time, Ramdev shot back: "Why would I? I will not campaign for them. I have withdrawn politically. I am with all the parties and I am independent," he said.

The 52-year-old yoga teacher said it was people's "fundamental right" to criticise Prime Minister Modi, while stating he has "done good work" such as launching the Clean India mission and not allowing any major scam to take place.

Ramdev said it was shameful that India was being dubbed as "rape capital" by some and said yoga can help in preventing rapes. He alleged "nudity" was one of the reasons responsible for rising crimes and he did not support it.

"I am modern, but modernity does not mean you indulge in nudity. We are living in a civilised society," he added. PTI