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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has hinted at the possibility of general parliamentary elections being held as early as 2013, and urged her party workers to be prepared for it. Asserting that she had information that general elections could be held within a year, Banerjee said that the masses have to be taken into confidence prior to the polls. "We have to take the masses in confidence and also democratic system. Please do not underestimate the elections. I have information that there was meeting on holding the general elections early. A certain party has discussed this within itself. Though my information may not be positive, I have got this information," said Banerjee. "The meeting took place in New Delhi . I will not disclose who attended it and when. They said they could call for elections in 2013. I am saying this for only one reason, that is, we can face election any day now. We have to be ready for the elections. I will not do anything due to which people misunderstand us," she added. Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress (TMC) is a key ally of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre has since the past few months kept the Centre on tenterhooks on various issues of national and regional concern, such as price rise and the proposal to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail.

Lok Sabha polls may be held in 2013, says Mamata