Sonia first on last leg of yatra

And so everyone taking part in the march — Gandians from across the country and abroad, Pakistani followers of Gandhi’s dear disciple Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, students, ordinary people — was made to walk after her.

Sonia kept up a brisk pace on the 5 km stretch from Motvad to Dandi. She spent some time at Saifee Villa, where Gandhiji had stayed, and told television channels that ‘‘walking on the same stretch that Gandhiji had once walked is an experience I cannot put in words.’’ She then repeated Gandhiji’s message of peace and non-violence.

An exuberant Congress went overboard, excited by her presence. At Motvad freedom fighters had a tough time negotiating with her security personnel. Matters were sorted out after some senior Congress leaders intervened, and said that a meeting had been scheduled with her.

At another place, senior leaders like Mukul Wasnik and Ahmed Patel exhorted people to follow Sonia, and not make a dash to walk with her or try to pose for photographs. Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, had the task of translating the message into English for those who couldn’t understand Hindi or Gujarati.

The Congress leaders also promised local party workers that they would get time with Sonia later, even a photo session and dinner. The condition: the dinner and photo session was only for those who had walked the entire stretch from Ahmedabad to Dandi.

To this a Pathan youth from Pakistan, who has marched the entire stretch, remarked, ‘‘Our politicians are just the same, perhaps they may have done it with some finesse and nazakat. We can understand this very well.’’

Despite all the politics, there are some who were not complaining. At Shriji Restaurant in Navsari business was roaring, with waiters finding it difficult to keep pace with customers. ‘‘I just wish these folks came oftener,’’ said the owner.