Nandigram is staring at the possibility of tumult in the panchayat polls next year as the Trinamul Congress and the BJP have already begun sabre-rattling in a bid to assert their authority in the area.

Over the past couple of days, in the run-up to the Martyrs’ Day anniversary in remembrance of those killed allegedly by CPM-backed goons on November 10, 2007, there has been a fair bit of muscle-flexing from both sides.

Trinamul and the BJP organised separate programmes on Thursday to commemorate the occasion.

The area had been on the boil since Friday morning as a stage set up by the ruling party was allegedly set ablaze by BJP supporters.

Trinamul workers blocked a local road for around 10 hours, demanding the arrest of those involved in the arson.

Senior ruling dispensation leaders from Calcutta, such as industry minister Shashi Panja and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, reached the spot to support the protesters.

The BJP was quick to deny its involvement, claiming the arson was the result of Trinamul’s infighting.

Sources said the incident was significant at a time Trinamul has set itself the target of regaining ground in Nandigram to show that Mamata Banerjee’s shock defeat against Suvendu Adhikari was an aberration.

On the other hand, Trinamul turncoat Adhikari — now the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly as the BJP’s Nandigram MLA — is not ready to yield ground to Trinamul in his backyard.

Nandigram is likely to draw keen interest in the rural polls, much like it was in the Assembly election last year.

“It is clear Nandigram is going to be on the boil in the panchayat polls on account of the tug-of-war between the BJP and Trinamul. Trinamul is sending its leaders from Calcutta, such as Kunal Ghosh, to strengthen its political activities, while the BJP would not give up space easily,” said political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty.