The political fight between the BJP and the Congress has been about who can do it better, with each side claiming an upper hand. The same sentiment may have transcended to the off-beat activities of the leaders of the respective parties.
This was evident from Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju's post on social media after he was seen taking a plunge into the gushing waters in Arunachal Pradesh. In fact, when compared to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju said that he may need some training before diving into the river.
"Mein yahan ka khiladi hun (I am the player here)," Rijiju said in a post on X on Sunday.
The remarks are the latest in a series of good-humoured exchanges between the two political rivals over fitness, including a conversation in Parliament last year and a jiu-jitsu challenge from Gandhi earlier this year.
"Many people are saying that I'm also doing like Rahul Gandhi. Rahul ji may take training for such activities but it's normal routine in my life. I don't take training as these are child's play for me since childhood. My life is full of adventurous (adventures)," Rijiju wrote, posting a video of himself swimming in a river in Arunachal Pradesh.
"Never go to deep water if you do not know swimming. Many people have drowned in the river. The rivers in Arunachal Pradesh are huge and very deep," he wrote.
He also posted another video, explaining why swimming in the rivers of Arunachal was different from swimming in a pool or in calmer waters.
"Some people might think swimming in gushing rivers of Arunachal Pradesh is like swimming in pools or rivers like Yamuna. In raging rivers, our head should be up, not down & body should be more upright, not straight as we keep in swimming competition. Mein yahan ka khiladi hun," he said.
Rahul-Rijiju's fitness talks
In December last year, Rijiju posted on Instagram a video of a conversation with Gandhi in Parliament.
"Not talking politics, only fitness. I hope he will promote #FitIndiaMovement," the minister had said.
Also read:
During the conversation, Gandhi reportedly asked Rijiju about his exercise routine and invited him to work out with him. Their conversation also turned to martial arts, with Gandhi suggesting that the two train together, according to a report by the ANI.
How Rahul Gandhi stays fit at 56
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gandhi is known for being a fitness enthusiast. He recently opened up about his fitness routine, revealing the variety of exercises he relies on to stay fit at 56. He shared the details during an Instagram Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, where he has been answering questions from students and Gen Z about his personal life, interests and experiences. “Students, Gen Z, ask me anything and I will reply to as many questions,” Gandhi wrote while inviting questions from his followers.
During the session, a follower asked him, “Hey Rahul, what’s your fitness routine?” In response, Rahul said there is no single workout routine that determines whether someone will remain fit. According to him, the most important factor is staying consistent.
“The thing about fitness that is important is not really the routine you follow. It is being persistent, doing it continuously and allowing it to compound,” he said.
Rahul revealed that his own routine includes a mix of physical activities. “I like doing a little bit of martial arts, swimming and running,” he said.
He also revealed that yoga has recently become an important part of his routine. Rather than treating exercise as something he does only when he has spare time, Rahul said he makes it a priority regardless of how busy his schedule gets.