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

Fitness is the mantra for state Congress leaders who will participate in Rahul Gandhirsquos 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 leaderSome leaders have had a taste of walking with Gandhi in other states but it is time they did not lag behind despite the leaderrsquos wish that not all especially the seniors walk long distances Gandhi is expected to walk 382 kmmdashabout 2530 km each day in Maharashtramdashfrom Deglur to Jalgaon Jamod in 14 days before entering Madhya Pradesh Of these four days will be spent in Nanded district before entering western VidarbhaFitting preparationsFormer 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 ChavanYouth leaders from Mumbai senior vicepresident 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 midday on Thursday Both have been given some responsibilities during the state leg The recce helped they saidAlso Read NOTA to play spoilsport in Andheri bypollYadav said he has been jogging 89 km for about two months ldquoI 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 89 days in Maharashtrardquo he said on his return from Nanded where Gandhi will address a public rallyldquoI told Rahul ji that Maharashtra is waiting eagerly for himrdquo he said adding that it was during this particular stretch that former Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut was injured in the melee ldquoMr Raut was immediately moved to hospital He is doing fine nowrdquoThakur said he had to consult a physio to mend his thumb that was hurt during a twoday walk despite his daily practice on the Eastern Expressway ldquoBut 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 Jalgaonrdquo he said Thakur felt that the onset of winter will actually help participants in Maharashtra and onwards ldquoThe walk will warm up bodies in the chilly mornings making the experience enjoyable Rahul ji covers as much in the morning hoursrdquo he addedAt 66 Mumbai Congress MRCC president Bhai Jagtap beats his juniors when it comes to physical fitness ldquoI 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 effortrdquo he said MRCC hopes to keep the pace that Gandhi sets intact after his departure It has planned a lsquoParivartan Yatrarsquo in Mumbairsquos 36 Assembly segments ldquoIt will conclude on January 30 the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhirdquo added JagtapExperienced participantA 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 ldquoI 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 throngrdquo he saidFrom 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 ldquoItrsquos 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 throughoutrdquo said LondheldquoThere 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 sickrdquo he said adding that nonpolitical 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 Gandhi30 kmDistance Gandhi will walk daily in Maharashtra