The confusion over which political leader or party to support in Uttar Pradesh, it seems, is proving good for Team Anna as people in large numbers are pouring in to attend their meetings. People like Manoj Singh (30) of Ghazipur district are preferring Team Anna over star political campaigners, and in this case Rahul Gandhi.

Manoj said that he travelled almost 100 kms to reach Chandauli from his home town to hear what memebers of Team Anna had to say before elections. “Basically, as a responsible citizen and a voter, I was confused to whom to support when not a single candidate has clean image. That’s why I decided to avail this special opportunity.” he said. Manoj had missed to attend the public rally in his hometown organised by volunteers of India Against Corruption on Feb 5.

Not only Manoj, but thousands of people from other neighbouring districts and all walks of life -- students, women, youth and senior citizens -- actively participated in the big public rally organized in a ground near Punjab National Bank at GT Road, Chandauli. Locals claimed that the crowd was very good specially when there was another event in the town being addressed by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Members of Team Anna emphasised about the benefits of strong Jan Lokpal Bill, lack of inner party democracy even in big political parties and participatory democracy besides how rampant corruption has prevented the development of the country in their rally. They reasserted their opinion that if strong Jan Lokpal will be there, whoever will come into power, law will take care of everything.

Lauding the attempts of Team Anna, Murari Verma, an MBA student said that spreading awareness and education among the electorates living in remote areas will not only help people understand their power, but also in changing the picture by next election.

After covering districts of Ghazipur, Balia, Basti, Gonda, Faizabad and Barabanki in the first phase, Team Anna successfully completed its campaign in Azamgarh, Chanduali and Varanasi in the last three days as a part of its second phase. On Friday, members of Team Anna will address a rally in Allahabad. The third phase of campaigning will start from Rai Bareli on Feb 13 and will cover Kanauj & Farukhabad (Feb 14), Mainpuri & Etawah (Feb 15) and Lalitpur & Jhansi (Feb 16).