Amid prospects of polarisation of Brahmin and backward votes, the electoral battle for this predominantly-rural constituency promises to be a keenly-contested affair between Chandrashekhar and BJP nominee, Ramkrishna Mishra.

The most recognised face amongst the `Young Turks' who battled for Indira Gandhi during her early years as PM, the `Bhondisi saint' is facing a daunting task in the face of `Atal wave'.

For Chandrashekhar, a veteran of many a electoral battle who undertook a padyatra of 4,260 kms from Kanyakumari to Rajghat in 1984, the journey to Lok Sabha this time appears arduous with the Congress pitting a strong Rajput against him.

Congress nominee, Digvijay Singh and Bahujan Samaj party candidate, Ramdeo Verma, are desperately trying to make the contest four-cornered.

Singh is likely tomake a major dent in Chandrashekhar's votebank where Rajputs alone account for 12 per cent vote.

Chandrashekhar who won 1977, 1980, 1989, 1991, and 1996 poll by a huge margin, registered victory over his nearest BJP rival Mishra, by a margin of over 29,000 votes in 1998. In '84, Congress nominee Jagannath Choudhury defeated Chandrasekhar by a margin of over 66,000 votes.

Riding the `Atal wave', Mishra looks confident in taking on Chandrashekhar and says he is sure of his victory if booth capturing and other electoral malpractices are checked.

In Ballia, Muslims account for 6 per cent vote, while scheduled castes (13 per cent), Yadavas (13 per cent), Brahmins (10 per cent), Bhars (eight per cent) and Koeris (6 per cent). Chamars (9 per cent) and Dosadhs (2 per cent) are dominant among the scheduled castes.

BJP candidate Mishra told a visiting PTI correspondent that sharp polarisation was taking place among Brahmins and backwards and claimed support of Bhumihars, Bhars and Koeris.

He charged theformer Prime Minister with having masterminded `booth capturing' during the 1998 poll to ensure his return to Lok Sabha.

"If the district administration takes adequate steps to thwart attempts to vitiate the poll...use of musclemen and goondas are prevented....no body can stop me from making a maiden entry into Parliament," Mishra said, adding BJP had already informed the election Commission about the situation prevailing in the constituency.

On the other hand, Chandrashekhar's election agent, Dwijendra Kumar Mishra, refuted the allegations, saying "out of sheer desperation such charges are made."

"There is absolutely no contest. Adhyakshji (Chandrashekhar) will win the poll by a comfortable margin. Here the fight is between BJP and BSP for the second and third slot," Mishra claimed.

On the other hand, BSP nominee, Ramdeo Verma, claimed his position was improving he had the support of Bahujan Samaj which he claimed account for more than 3.5 lakh votes.

Around 12.87 lakh voters are eligible to casttheir ballot to decide the fate of Chandrashekhar, Mishra, Singh and Verma among 10 contestants in the fray.