States » NorthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 4:34PM


SP springs surprise with Dhanraj Nathwani as Rajya Sabha pick alongside Ram Gopal Yadav

Lucknow, Sep30 (UNI) The Samajwadi Party (SP) has sparked a buzz in political circles by nominating industrialist and Reliance Group executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its second candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, alongside senior party leader and sitting MP Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav.
Nathwani's nomination came as a surprise, adding a new dimension to the contest for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in Uttar Pradesh. Both candidates filed their nomination papers in Lucknow in the presence of SP president Akhilesh Yadav and other senior party leaders. Each candidate submitted two sets of nomination papers.
Nathwani, a corporate executive and sports administrator, holds a senior position in the Reliance Group and is associated with the Ambani family. He is also involved in environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives, particularly those concerning Gujarat's Gir lions.
His nomination has drawn attention because of his family’s political connections. His father, Parimal Nathwani, is a Rajya Sabha member and is associated with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The elder Nathwani was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand after defeating Congress candidate Pranav Jha in an election marked by cross-voting and NDA support.
The younger Nathwani will now seek election to the Upper House as an SP candidate from Uttar Pradesh, creating an unusual political contrast within the family.
The Samajwadi Party's nomination of Dhanraj Nathwani comes at a time when the party is engaged in working out a strategy to field a third candidate in the elections for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Based on its strength in the state Assembly, the party is expected to have the numbers to secure two seats, while the contest for additional seats is likely to depend on the support of other legislators.
Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani is a prominent corporate leader and sports administrator in India. He currently serves as Group President at Reliance Industries and is considered very close to the Ambani family. He holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Regent's Business School, London. He is passionate about the environment, wildlife conservation, and photography, and is actively involved in campaigns to protect Gujarat's wildlife (especially the Gir lions).
The party has now formally fielded Nathwani and Ram Gopal Yadav.
Voting for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled for October 16. The nomination process began on September 29, with candidates allowed to file their papers until October 6.
Nathwani's entry into the contest is expected to draw attention beyond the immediate Rajya Sabha arithmetic, particularly because his father is associated with the NDA while he is contesting on an SP ticket.
This decision has sparked a flurry of debate among political parties and leaders.
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Tags: #SP springs surprise with Dhanraj Nathwani as Rajya Sabha pick alongside Ram Gopal Yadav
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