Kolkata, Mar 22 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee hopes of popular mandate in the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha.

After meeting with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee here on Saturday, Mukherjee asserted that the people of West Bengal would give their support to the alliance in the parliamentary elections.

"We do hope the purpose for which we have entered into this arrangement and will receive the blessings of the electorate. We do hope Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance will be reflected in the results of the 15th Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal," he added.

Meanwhile, Mamata said that the alliance would end the current lawlessness under the Left Front rule in the state.

"There is need for change in West Bengal to immediately stop the ongoing state sponsored unruliness and this alliance can bring this change," she added.

The Congress party has tied up with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, a long-standing stronghold of communists.

According to political analysts, this year the ruling Left Front is expected to face a tough fight after angering many of its rural voters over land acquisition for industries.

India will hold general elections between April 16 and May 13, in which 714 million people will cast their votes to elect a new Central Government. (ANI)