Congress leaders in Maharashtra on a fitness regime as Bharat Jodo Yatra gets set to cross over to Nanded

(Left) State senior V-P Ganesh Yadav and ex-youth Congress working president Suraj Thakur with Rahul Gandhi

Fitness is the mantra for state Congress leaders who will participate in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, which enters Maharashtra in the next three days. They have got sports shoes and have been walking on roads and treadmills, following a regimen that can keep them moving, if not match the pace of their agile leader.

Some leaders have had a taste of walking with Gandhi in other states, but it is time they did not lag behind despite the leader's wish that not all, especially the seniors, walk long distances. Gandhi is expected to walk 382 km - about 25-30 km each day in Maharashtra - from Deglur to Jalgaon Jamod in 14 days, before entering Madhya Pradesh. Of these, four days will be spent in Nanded district before entering western Vidarbha.

Fitting preparations

Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who has been entrusted with the management of the Nanded phase, wishes to walk at least through Nanded district. He is diabetic and frail, but does not lack enthusiasm. Along with his Nanded colleagues, Chavan has been building endurance by walking 5 km each morning. MLC Amar Rajurkar, former MLA DP Sawant and other party workers have been working out with Chavan.

Youth leaders from Mumbai, senior vice-president (state unit) Ganesh Yadav, and former youth Congress working president Suraj Thakur, have been there and done that for a couple of days. It was a great lesson in walking and organising, they said while talking to mid-day on Thursday. Both have been given some responsibilities during the state leg. The recce helped, they said.

Also Read: NOTA to play spoilsport in Andheri bypoll?

Yadav said he has been jogging 8-9 km for about two months. "I walked 28 km in the Hyderabad neighbourhood. I understood what it takes. The body needs adequate rest (sleep) after a day of long walking if one is to wake up early the next morning. At some point, you feel drained, but then mental preparation takes charge and keeps you on. I am nervous, but confident of walking 8-9 days in Maharashtra," he said on his return from Nanded, where Gandhi will address a public rally.

"I told Rahul ji that Maharashtra is waiting eagerly for him," he said, adding that it was during this particular stretch that former Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut was injured in the melee. "Mr Raut was immediately moved to hospital. He is doing fine now."

Thakur said he had to consult a physio to mend his thumb that was hurt during a two-day walk despite his daily practice on the Eastern Expressway. "But the experience has taught me how to relax the body and how to walk long distances. My youth colleagues have been preparing in a scientific manner before embarking on the entire stretch in Maharashtra. I too will be there from Deglur to Jalgaon," he said. Thakur felt that the onset of winter will actually help participants in Maharashtra and onwards. "The walk will warm up bodies in the chilly mornings, making the experience enjoyable. Rahul ji covers as much in the morning hours," he added.

At 66, Mumbai Congress (MRCC) president Bhai Jagtap beats his juniors when it comes to physical fitness. "I have already walked five days in the yatra, and will participate in Maharashtra as well. I train at my personal gym and walk 100 km every month. Everyone who wishes to be there and do his best, is making a serious effort," he said. MRCC hopes to keep the pace that Gandhi sets intact after his departure. It has planned a ‘Parivartan Yatra' in Mumbai's 36 Assembly segments. "It will conclude on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," added Jagtap.

Experienced participant

A former Congress corporator from Nagpur, Prafulla Gudadhe Patil was near Hyderabad on Thursday. This is his second visit. He has walked full distances for two days in Andhra and Telangana, but now he is mostly concentrating on organisational aspects. "I will be responsible for some specific tasks in the Vidarbha leg. I am here to learn management. The experience has been enriching, especially to see the common people throng," he said.

From the state unit, its president Nana Patole and chief spokesperson Atul Londhe are among some who will be on foot from the Nanded end to the MP border. "It's not just about physical but mental fitness as well. I have prepared myself to walk as much. Nanaji is fit and he too will walk throughout," said Londhe.

"There are leaders who have physical problems and yet they will walk some distance and try to increase it if their bodies permit. Rahul ji does not want anyone to get injured and fall sick," he said, adding that non-political people from the civil society, NGOs and cinema industry, thinkers and litteratures, independent journalists and many others have shown interest in participating and interacting with Gandhi.

30 km
Distance Gandhi will walk daily in Maharashtra