The parent body of the party, Rashtriya Swayam Sangh (RSS) has already instructed its prominent functionaries to fan out to different parts of the state to ensure that the cadres work in a cohesive manner to bring all committed voters to the polling booths.

They have also been particularly asked to woo the upper caste voters, who have been disenchanted with the party since the installation of the Dalit Kalyan Singh as chief minister in the state, by assuaging their feelings that their vote would ensure a full five-year term for the Brahmin prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Despite the comforting findings of some observers of the poll scene that Congress has not been able to make much dentinto the upper caste segment which accounts for more that half of the total electorate of the state, the party is not taking any chances.

The party is also aware that Kalyan Singh government's performance has been dismal, resulting in a strong anti-incumbency sentiment and luring away of sizable sections of even backward voters by the rival claimants to their vote. The trouble has been further aggravated by the expulsion of Sakshi Maharaj, member of the dissolved Lok Sabha from Farrukhabad, for involvement in the murder of senior party leader Brahm Dutt Dwivedi, Sakshi Maharaj wields considerable influence in the backward caste dominated seats. The results could be disastrous for the party as the number of Dalit voters ranges from 24 to 34 per cent in different constituencies.

Though a close friend of the chief minister, Sakshi Maharaj has entered into an alliance with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and is working for the defeat of the BJP candidates as in his view it would strengthen theposition of Kalyan Singh in the brahmin-dominated party.

Kalyan Singh, on his part, has not condemned Sakshi Maharaj so far. His skipping the backward class dominated Farrukhabad-Mainpuri belt in his election campaign has fuelled rumours that both have entered into a secret pact to inflict maximum damage on the party candidates who are not in the chief minister's camp.

In fact, more than the stiff fight the political rivals are expected to give to the party, what is worrying the party high command is the groupism and infighting in the party's state unit which could greatly damage the party's prospects all over the state not only in backward dominated areas.

How deep is the malaise afflicting the party was demonstrated recently when the chief minister boycotted even the tea party in honour of Prime Minister Vajpayee. The party had been hosted by senior minister Lalji Tandon.

Reportedly annoyed that Tandon, who incidentally happens to be Vajpayee's election manager also, did not invite him to addressthe workers' rally at the collectorate after Vajpayee filed his nomination papers from Lucknow, Kalyan Singh abstained from the function even at the risk of sending wrong signals to the electorate and the party workers at this crucial juncture.

Fully aware that he would be held responsible if the party did not perform well in the elections and failed to retain the present strength which is most likely, the chief minister has already stated saying that no individual should be held responsible for the party's victory or defeat in the elections.

In the first phase of elections in the state, 22 constituencies are going to the polls on Saturday. A Development and Research Services (DRS) survey has projected substantial gains for the Congress in the state.