Kolkata, 22 April (H.S.) : Tension flared once again in the high-profile Nandigram Assembly constituency on the eve of the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with the Trinamool Congress alleging vandalism, looting and destruction of party campaign materials.

According to party leaders, Trinamool Congress flags and banners installed at the Barkandapsara booth area under Bhekutia Gram Panchayat in Nandigram were torn down during the night by unidentified persons.

The party also alleged that the house of a Trinamool worker in the same area was vandalised and looted, triggering unrest in the locality.

Polling for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held on April 23 across 152 constituencies, including Nandigram, one of the most closely watched seats in the state.

Local Trinamool leaders claimed that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of fear in the constituency as their opponents had sensed defeat in the upcoming election.

No official statement had been issued by the administration regarding the incident till the time of filing this report.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh