Errors like "Error calling StartServiceByName for org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1: Timeout was reached" are seen on running various commands

Issue

• The below is seen on attempting to set the hostname:

 # hostnamectl set-hostname <hostname>
  Error getting authority: Error initializing authority: Error calling StartServiceByName for org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1: Timeout was reached (g-io-error-quark, 24)

• Commands such as the below fail as well:

# systemctl restart sshd
Error getting authority: Error initializing authority: Error calling StartServiceByName for org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.TimedOut: Activation of org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1 timed out (g-dbus-error-quark, 20)