In a significant move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a complete waiver of electricity bills for the farming community. Speaking at a massive public rally in Nanur, Birbhum, on Wednesday, the Chief Minister declared that farmers in the state will no longer have to pay for the electricity used in agricultural activities. This hundred percent exemption will directly benefit lakhs of farmers registered under the ‘Krishak Bandhu’ scheme.

Highlighting her government’s commitment to the rural economy, Mamata Banerjee stated, “Our farmers work tirelessly to feed the nation. To reduce their financial burden, the state government has decided to bear the entire cost of electricity used for irrigation and other farming purposes.” This move is expected to provide immense relief to small and marginal farmers who rely heavily on electric pumps for irrigation. The Chief Minister emphasized that this policy is aimed at making farming more sustainable and profitable in West Bengal.

Political experts view this announcement as a strategic “game-changer” just before the election notification. By offering free electricity to the agricultural sector, the Trinamool Congress chief has hit a chord with the rural populace, which forms the backbone of her party’s support base. While the opposition has dubbed it an “electoral stunt,” the move is being hailed by farmer unions as a necessary step for rural empowerment. Following the recent increments in ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ and unemployment doles, this free electricity initiative is set to be a major talking point in the upcoming 2026 electoral battle.