Mamata trying to prevent CBI probe into chit fund muddle: CPI-M

The CPI-M Thursday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was desperately trying to prevent a CBI probe into the multi-million rupee chit fund scam to save the image of her Trinamool Congress, but said she would "miserably" fail in her efforts.

"Her party will go, her government will go, and everything will be in jeopardy if the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probes the scam. So she is desperately trying to prevent any probe by the CBI," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee member Gautam Deb told media persons here.

"But Mamata will miserable fail to stop CBI from investigating the matter. When the CBI comes, her government will crumble, Mamata's regime will collapse."

Deb said the chief minister does not have any power to close any chit fund companies. "Had we been in power, than also we could not have done that. She is saying all this to avoid CBI inquiry," said Deb, who was a minister in the preceding Left Front government in the state.

Deb said Banerjee herself is facing lot of questions from the public on the issue.

"Trinamool Congress is under pressure because of the scam and will split in several groups," he said.