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Kolkata: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee alleged on Saturday that the ruling CPM has set up suicide squads to kill her before the Assembly elections in West Bengal next year. Speaking to reporters, Mamata alleged that the CPM has unleashed a reign of terror in the state, killing Trinamool workers and planting Maoist posters next to them.

"CPI(M) and some other political parties which have vested interests -- I am not speaking about all parties -- have held a meeting and hatched a conspiracy to eliminate me. Such a meeting was held, you can inquire," Banerjee told reporters here.

She charged that at the meeting CPI(M) discussed forming a suicide squad to eliminate her and that whatever money was required would be paid. Banerjee claimed she had information of this and thought that West Bengal government had it too.

"CPI(M) ministers and leaders are keeping a watch on my movements. They are inquiring about my movements. A conspiracy is afoot to kill me," she alleged. "Is it fair politics? They cannot fight us politically. They are cowards."

She also alleged a suicide squad was formed by CPI(M) to eliminate Trinamool youth Congress president and MP Shubhendu Adhikari. Asked how she knew about the suicide squads, Banerjee said "why is CPI(M) setting up so many camps of armed cadre in West Midnapore? Because they want to kill me."

The Trinamool Congress chief said she was firm in her resolve to visit Maoist-affected Lalgarh in West Midnapore district on August 9 as announced by her earlier and warned that the state government would be responsible if anything happened to her.

Stating that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were in force in West Midnapore district for a year now, Banerjee alleged that the state administration was only allowing CPI(M) to hold rallies there. "The central government knows that I will go to Lalgarh. It is a democratic right."

On Maoist posters being found besides bodies in the district, she claimed it was a new tactic adopted by the CPI(M). "They are killing Trinamool Congress workers and putting up posters in the name of Maoists. They don't want any political opponents. They killed eight Trinamool workers in the last three days," she claimed.

Banerjee said that the Maoists were also responsible for some of the killings. "We don't support what the Maoists are doing." Referring to Maoist posters found near Raj Bhavan here on Friday, she demanded that the Centre should investigate who was behind it. She also appealed to government officials to not fear the Left Front government as it would soon be out of power in the state.

"If you feel there will be vindicative action like transfer if you don't carry out unjust orders, go on leave. This (state) government will be out of office within 3 to 4 months," Banerjee said.

More on: Mamata Banerjee, Tranamool Congress, West Bengal, CPM, suicide squad, Naxals