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Akhilesh Yadav’s surprise Reliance pick: Who is Rajya Sabha nominee Dhanraj Nathwani?
Lucknow/IBNS: In a surprise move, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has fielded senior Reliance Group executive and sports administrator Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as one of the party's nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Nathwani, who was named alongside veteran SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, subsequently filed his nomination in Lucknow.
His candidature has drawn attention as his professional career has largely been associated with Reliance, cricket administration and institutional roles rather than conventional party politics.
देश और प्रदेश की तरक़्क़ी और ख़ुशहाली के लिए ‘अनुभव का दिशा-निर्देशन’ और ‘युवा उद्यमी ऊर्जा’ संयुक्त रूप से राज्यसभा में हमारी सशक्त और सार्थक आवाज़ बने, इसके लिए अपने दोनों प्रत्याशियों को विजयभाव से भरी हमारी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ!@proframgopalya1@DhanrajNathwani pic.twitter.com/LGxd0X298q
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 30, 2026
Who is Dhanraj Nathwani?
Reliance Industries: Nathwani is a Group President at Reliance Industries. His responsibilities include the company's Jamnagar manufacturing divisions, strategic work related to Reliance Jio in Gujarat and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities. He is also associated with Reliance New Energy and other group companies.
Gujarat Cricket Association: Nathwani has served as president of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) since 2022, succeeding Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The GCA administers the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sports and institutional roles: Beyond cricket, Nathwani has held positions connected with football administration, temple management, wildlife conservation and educational institutions in Gujarat.
Education: Nathwani holds a bachelor's degree in International Business from Regent Business School in London, according to his profile.
Nathwani’s family background
Nathwani is the son of Parimal Nathwani, a senior Reliance executive and Rajya Sabha MP.
The family's association with both corporate and public life has also brought additional attention to Dhanraj Nathwani's entry into electoral politics.
Why his nomination has drawn attention
Nathwani's nomination is notable because the SP has chosen a corporate executive and sports administrator rather than a conventional party functionary for one of its Rajya Sabha seats.
His selection alongside veteran SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav also highlights the different professional backgrounds of the party's two nominees for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections.
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