New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) All leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), particularly its politburo member Sitaram Yechury, have a close association with Maoists, Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged.

It was because of Yechury's proximity to top Maoist leaders in Nepal that the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government sent him as envoy to the country after the monarchy was established, Banerjee told reporters Wednesday evening.

She was speaking on the sidelines of a function at party colleague Mukul Roy's residence to mark the victory of the Trinamool Congress in assembly by-elections in West Bengal.

Attacking the Maoists and the Marxists for the increasing violence in West Bengal, Banerjee countered allegations from the CPI-M and said her party did not have any association with Maoist leader Kishenji.

"Who is this Kishenji?" Banerjee asked and added that her party had never believed in the ideology of either Marxism and Maoism.

"We are from the Congress background. We believe in the teachings of Mahatmaji (Mahatma Gandhi) and Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose)."

She said West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen had clearly stated that there was no evidence to prove that the Trinamool Congress had any Maoist link.