Rediff.com's reporters travel across the country to gauge the mood of voters. Here is a take from Visakhapatnam, where the mood is perceptibly cynical. Affirming that they will exercise their franchise, they said they do so with little or no expectation. Andhra Pradesh is slated for both the Assenbly and Lok Sabha polls.

U Surya Narayan. Works in a hotel. Rushikonda.

Mood: Pessimistic

Will Vote for: Congress

To me, the main problem is the price rise. It went up from Rs 20 to 35 this year. The price of cooking oil and vegetables has doubled. The salaried class is in deep trouble. You cannot make both the ends meet and the government will suffer for that.

Despite the price rise, I support the Congress. Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam will not be effective. Film stars may be popular, but that does not make them good administrators. They will not know how to solve farmers' problems nor professionals' problems."

The Congress offered houses to the poor and loans. It always rains while the Congress rules as we consider rain as a harbinger of good fortunes.

I want the government to set up some mechanism to keep the price of essential items down.

All said and done, I don't believe in any major change and don't welcome new parties or even regional parties.

Reportage & Photographs: A Ganesh Nadar in Visakhapatnam

Also see: Coverage: India Votes 2009

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