Lalgarh violence was stage-managed by CPI-M, claims Mamata Banerjee

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the whole Lalgarh incident was stage-managed by the ruling Left Front, and asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to side with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the whole Lalgarh incident was stage-managed by the ruling Left Front, and asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to side with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

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"They (CPI-M) have created Maoists in the country and now they are using it to their own end to regain their lost ground," Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi.

"And now the CPI-M is taking credit for recapturing Lalgarh which is completely stage-managed," Banerjee added.

Banerjee met the prime minister on early Thursday morning to discuss Lalgarh issue and the budget proposals.

Asked if she was consulted by the UPA government on ban on Maoists, she said, "I was not consulted about it. I came to know about the decision only after it was taken."

"The CPI-M is using the centre for its own benefit. I met the prime minister today and has asked him not to side with the CPI-M," Banerjee added.

"They have created an atmosphere of terror in West Bengal. They are even shipping out bullets manufactured in defence units in the state," Banerjee added.