Kolkata, March 31 (IANS): Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Monday smelt a rat after the helicopter scheduled to ferry her to an election rally in the state's West Midnapore district developed a snag, forcing her to travel by road.

Calling it a "deliberate attempt" to stop her from addressing the rally, she said it could be a "conspiracy".

Banerjee arrived late at the venue in Keshiari under Kharagpur subdivision of the district where hundreds had gathered in the scorching heat to hear her speak and get a glimpse of the party's star candidates - Bengali superstar Dev and veteran actress Sandhya Roy.

With the chopper unavailable, Banerjee was forced to undertake the two-and-a-half hour drive from Kolkata to the venue.

"Please forgive me for being late. We were informed suddenly that the helicopter had developed a snag. Whether it was really a snag or whether it was a conspiracy, we will see that later.

"There was a plan afoot to deliberately stop me from coming here. But I am determined...I may break but I will never bow," she said.