- Reliance executive and Gujarat sports administrator files nomination as Samajwadi Party candidate from Uttar Pradesh
- Akhilesh Yadav accompanies Nathwani and veteran party leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav during nomination in Lucknow
- Nathwani brings experience spanning industry, infrastructure, sports and institutional initiatives to electoral politics
- Gujarat Cricket Association president has also held roles linked to temples, wildlife, education and energy institutions
- SP has named Nathwani and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav for the two Rajya Sabha seats it is contesting from Uttar Pradesh
- Polling for 10 Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled for October 16
NE POLITICAL BUREAU
LUCKNOW, SEPT 30
From the corporate boardroom to the parliamentary arena, Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani has entered a new phase of public life, filing his nomination as the Samajwadi Party’s Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttar Pradesh in the presence of party president Akhilesh Yadav and senior party leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Nathwani’s candidature brings a corporate executive and sports administrator into the Upper House race, adding a new profile to the SP’s two-candidate slate from Uttar Pradesh. The party has nominated Nathwani alongside Prof Ram Gopal Yadav. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats from the state on October 16.
A corporate career meets public life
Nathwani has held senior responsibilities across Reliance-linked businesses and institutional initiatives, with his professional portfolio spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, technology and business operations.
He is also president of the Gujarat Cricket Association, which administers the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. His institutional engagements extend beyond business and sport to areas including temple administration, wildlife, education and energy research.
His candidature therefore brings to the political arena an experience base that cuts across corporate management, infrastructure, sports administration and public institutions.
Akhilesh’s choice puts spotlight on a new entrant
The nomination follows Akhilesh Yadav’s indication that the party would field a “surprise” candidate for the Rajya Sabha. Nathwani’s name emerged alongside the expected renomination of veteran party leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav.
Akhilesh Yadav described Nathwani’s selection in terms of bringing newer voices and stronger engagement with the corporate world into national politics.
From Gujarat institutions to Uttar Pradesh politics
Nathwani’s public-facing roles include vice-chairmanship of the Dwarkadhish Temple Administrative Committee in Dwarka and associations with the Gujarat State Board for Wildlife and Nathdwara Temple Board.
He is also associated with Pandit Deendayal Energy University and the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, according to the profile information provided for his candidature.
His Gujarat footprint in sports administration has been particularly visible through the Gujarat Cricket Association, while his corporate responsibilities have involved major industrial and business operations.
‘A new phase of my public life’
After filing his nomination, Nathwani expressed gratitude to Akhilesh Yadav for selecting him as the party’s candidate and described the nomination as a new phase of his public life.
“I sincerely thank and express my heartfelt gratitude to honourable national president Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji for choosing me as the Samajwadi Party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. As I embark on this new phase of my public life, I filed my nomination for the Rajya Sabha in Lucknow today in the presence of honourable Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji. I am deeply grateful to all of you for your affection, trust and good wishes.”
Nathwani is the son of Parimal Nathwani, a serving Rajya Sabha member representing Jharkhand, according to reporting following his nomination.
October 16 on the political calendar
The Election Commission has scheduled the Rajya Sabha polling in Uttar Pradesh for October 16, with the terms of the 10 sitting members ending on November 25. The nomination process began with notification on September 29; the last date for filing nominations is October 6, followed by scrutiny on October 7 and withdrawal until October 9.
For Nathwani, Wednesday’s nomination marks the formal crossing of a significant line—from corporate and institutional responsibilities into electoral politics.
