Biju Janata Dal president and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday welcomed Mamata Banerjee’s decision to field women in 41 per cent of seats in Bengal.

Naveen tweeted: “Immensely happy to see All India Trinamool Congress led by @MamataOfficial nominate over one-third #women candidates for ensuing #LokSabhaElections2019. With the gathering momentum, India could see a sea change in electoral & development domain.”

The BJD had announced that 33 per cent of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha would be set aside for women.

“Gandhiji was a great votary of #WomenEmpowerment and advocated higher representation for women in legislative bodies. Allocation of 33% seats for women (in Odisha) will be a humble tribute to the Father of Nation on his 150th birth anniversary,” the BJD leader said in another tweet.

The Odisha Assembly had recently passed a resolution seeking 33 per cent quota for women in legislative bodies.

Naveen has been trying to nurture women through different welfare measures during his two decades of rule in the state.