Imphal, January 23: The battle between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Congress president Sonia Gandhi may shift their battle to Manipur before the forthcoming Eight State Assembly election with reports of their possible visit and campaigning for respective party candidates in Manipur emanating from highly placed sources.

Reliable sources said that the Congress, which seems to be the most favorable party at the moment, has been mulling the idea of taking the services of the party chief in the coming election.

As such Sonia who is the Opposition leader in Parliament could be coming to Imphal well ahead of the election.

On the other hand, BJP is considering seeking the services of the Prime Minister to ward off Sonia's onslaught and also to redeem some of its lost image.

The party got a severe beating after the anti-NSCN (IM) ceasefire episode.

Vajpayee is most likely to be assisted by renowned film star Hema Malini, Rajya Sabha MP Shatrughan Sinha and Union Disinvestment Minister and Minister-in-charge of NE Development Arun Shourie.

However, their visits and that of Vajpayee will be finalized only after the arrival of PB Acharya, national secretary BJP and in-charge of North East Border area States tomorrow for election campaigning.

Acharya will also be releasing the party manifesto during his stay, sources said.

Joining the battle will be NDA convenor and Samata Party senior leader George Fernandes.

Sources said though the dates of the visits of the heavyweights have not be specified, their visits are certain.

They are all likely to come on very short notices.

The Congress manifesto was released yesterday by former Union Finance Minister and party leader in the Rajya Sahha Dr Mairnohon Singh who was accompanied by Main Shankar Aiyer.

Among those who will be making an impact in the State will be NCP president Sharad Pawar and general secretary PA Sangma Sangma recently visited the State and announced the party candidate list.

The NCP State unit today released the name of RK Nokulsana for contesting the State poll in Sagolband constituency as the party�s final candidate list.

There has been no dearth in the visit and election campaigning by national leaders in the past few days.

JD (U) general secretary Mohon Prakash visited the State on January 19 and 20 and slammed the State leaders of lacking in vision.