Dhule (Maharashtra), April 2 (IANS) AAP's Lok Sabha candidate here, Ansari N. Ahmed, Wednesday completed 42 km of his 50-km walkathon to file his nomination papers Thursday, an aide said.
The band of around 150 Aam Aadmi Party volunteers was armed with brooms, the party's election symbol, as they trekked from Malegaon to Dhule in Maharashtra.
"This walkathon has been a humbling experience and brought me close to the masses," a weary but cheerful Ahmed told IANS while walking through the dry region in 40 degrees plus temperature.
"People have responded very enthusiastically, beyond my expectations," Ahmed added.
Along the route, the AAP candidate and his supporters received the hospitality of the simple village folk: the real 'aam aadmi'.
"Wherever we went, villagers trooped out to welcome us with garlands, flowers and chilled water or sherbet, invited us to their homes. They told me that this is the first time they saw a candidate in flesh and blood," said the 57-year-old academic, Ahmed.
"In all previous elections, they only saw the photographs or posters of the candidates."
Ahmed's media consultant and close aide Aleem Faizee said since Tuesday evening when the AAP candidate began the 50-km Malegaon-Dhule walkathon, they have interacted with nearly 40,000 people.
"Most people virtually dragged him to their homes for tea, coffee, soft drinks or just a brief chat," said Faizee.
All the 150 AAP marchers had their own blankets and bed sheet, plastic plates and disposable glasses, stocks of food, tea, sugar, large utensils and a portable gas stove cylinder to take care of their needs, besides a couple of small tankers for potable water.
All these were packed in a couple of vehicles which followed them.
"We represent the 'aam aadmi'. So, on Tuesday night, the tired group savoured a simple meal of 'daal chawal' which we cooked ourselves and then spend the night in the fields under the starry skies," Faizee said.
On Wednesday morning, the marchers woke up at sunrise, quickly refreshed themselves and enjoyed a breakfast of piping hot tea with toast bread and butter, acquired from a village shop.
By 8 a.m., the walkathon resumed. After covering 15 km, the marchers took lunch along a highway.
There was a repeat of Tuesday night's menu of freshly cooked and easy-to-digest 'daal' and rice Wednesday night too.
"The remaining march of around eight kilometres will continue tomorrow. We shall reach Dhule Thursday to file the nomination papers," Faizee told IANS.
Dhule is among the few parliamentary constituencies in India which span two adjoining districts: Nashik and Dhule in northwest Maharashtra. The main Election Commission office is located at Dhule.
The road venture has given Ansari a chance to directly reach out to the ordinary people who hardly get to meet or speak with their elected representatives and often remain unaware of who they vote for.
The villagers told Ansari candidates usually speed past in long convoys of vehicles, meeting only the village panchayat leaders.
By Thursday afternoon, Ansari would have covered more than 50,000 voters, distributing handbills and AAP caps.
Dhule constituency - currently held by BJP's P.N. Sonawane - is set to witness a three-cornered battle also involving Congress' candidate Amrish Patel and Bharatiya Janata Party's Subhash Bhamre.
The trio is set to woo the 1.60 million electorate comprising 700,000 Marathas, 450,000 Muslims and others from different backward classes.
Banned in Maharashtra, beef dries up in Goa too
Panaji, March 4 (IANS) Banned in neighbouring Maharashtra, beef is in short supply in Goa too with shops selling it closed for the third day on Wednesday.A spokesperson for the Goa Meat Sellers
Sawan 2024: Major accident in Bihar on the first Monday of Sawan; Four boys drowned in Ganga, seven were rescued
Four boys died of drowning on Monday while bathing at Madhurapur Ganga Jahaj Ghat of Bhawanipur police station area under the Narayanpur block of Bhagalpur district. With the help of divers, the
Agnipath: Ruckus, arson-sabotage in more than 60 districts, know what happened so far regarding the Agnipath scheme?
Five days have been completed since the launch of the Agneepath scheme of the Central Government. It was announced by the chiefs of the three forces on the evening of June 14, after which a ruckus
Restrictions increased in West Bengal till July 1, know which things are exempted and which are banned
The West Bengal government has extended the restrictions implemented to deal with the Corona crisis in the state till July 1. Talking to the media on Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced
Where were Muskan and Sahil on the day of Saurabh's murder? Mobile became a necessary evidence; sent to forensic lab for data recovery.
The mobiles of Muskan and Sahil, accused in the Saurabh murder case, are being made necessary evidence. Police have prepared a map of the mobile location and made it a part of the case diary. Through
Delhi Pollution: Before Diwali, breathing problem persists in the capital, AQI crosses 300; toxic foam visible in Yamuna
Delhiites are facing breathing problems. The AQI of many areas of the capital has been recorded above 300. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in the national capital is
'If he is the CM, won't Kejriwal be arrested', ED said in an affidavit in SC - Based on his conduct, it seems that he is guilty of a liquor scam.
ED affidavit on Kejriwal Arrest: The troubles of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, arrested in liquor scam case, are not showing any signs of ending. After the bail plea was rejected several
Bharat Bandh ALERT! 'Bharat Bandh' of farmers across the country on September 27, know what will remain open - what will remain closed
Bharat Bandh ALERT! Farmers' India is going to be closed once again across the country. On September 27, farmers across the country have announced a Bharat Bandh. This Bharat Bandh of farmers is
PM Modi In US: Discussion on issues that will make the world a better place; Excited diaspora reflects the unbreakable bond between India and US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the highlights of his US visit on social media and said that the visit was positive. In this, many topics were discussed to make the earth better by attending
Will be able to finish isolation after 17 days, unless fever has been present for 10 days; Must change masks every 8 hours
New Delhi. The Ministry of Health has made changes in the Home Isolation Guidelines for very mild (very mild) symptoms of corona or pre-symptomatic patients. Patients with home isolation will be able
