Mohammed Akhtar, a 28-year-old powerloom worker, says he will vote for the Samajwadi Party.
"Like others in my area, I will vote for the cycle (the SP's election symbol)" he says, though he admits he is unsure whether any political party will do anything to improve life for of labourers like him.
He feels Rahul Gandhi's active participation "is a good thing. The youngsters definitely deserve at least a chance to show that they will do something for people like us."
Akhtar’s colleague and friend Mohammed Jalil, 27, thinks Mulayam Singh Yadav will forge unity between Hindus and Muslims.
"But that's about it. We are labourers and are not very interested in politics," Jalil adds. "Under Mulayam, I think Hindus and Muslims can be united. Not that he has done anything out of the ordinary for the betterment of the state.
"We hope that if given a chance people like Rahul Gandhi will do something for us," he continues. "But, one side of us says they will also go the way of those before them."
About Amitabh Bachchan's endorsement for UP, he says, "I have not seen that ad. But whatever the case and whatever Amitabh says, UP mein dum zaroor hai (UP definitely has potential)."
Photographs: N V Reuben
Also see: Sonia Gandhi makes waves in Uttar Pradesh
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