New Delhi: Amidst preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has announced the name of its second candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections in the state. Businessman Dhanraj Nathwani filed his nomination as the SP’s second candidate on Wednesday. Dhanraj Nathwani is a prominent figure in the business world and is considered close to Mukesh Ambani.
Betting on a businessman is being viewed as a significant strategic move by Akhilesh Yadav. Dhanraj Nathwani is associated with the Reliance Group. Additionally, he has made a name for himself in the world of cricket; he has previously served as the President of the Gujarat Cricket Association.
It is now expected that the SP may soon announce and file the nomination for a third candidate. While the SP cannot secure a victory for a third candidate on its own strength, it could potentially succeed by engineering a split within the opposition ranks.
Know who Dhanraj Nathwani is
Everyone wants to know who Dhanraj Nathwani is, the man filing his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election on an SP ticket. Dhanraj Nathwani is the son of Parimal Nathwani, a Rajya Sabha MP and senior executive at the Reliance Group. Parimal Nathwani entered the Rajya Sabha in June 2020 after winning as an independent candidate from Jharkhand.
Before that, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP representing Andhra Pradesh. He has also held the position of Director of Corporate Affairs at the Reliance Group.
What is Dhanraj Nathwani known for?
Born and raised in Gujarat, Dhanraj Nathwani’s identity extends beyond the business world. In 2022, he was elected President of the Gujarat Cricket Association; he had previously served as its Vice President.
Why did the SP choose him as a candidate?
Did you know that Dhanraj Nathwani has not traditionally been a face associated with the SP? Despite this, Akhilesh Yadav placed his trust in him and announced Nathwani’s name following a four-hour meeting. This decision by Akhilesh Yadav has become a topic of discussion, with people curious about how Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani’s son was suddenly named the SP candidate.
When will the Rajya Sabha election voting take place?
Voting for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled for October 16, 2026. SP chief Akhilesh’s party has purchased four nomination papers for the election, while the ruling BJP has bought eight. The results will be declared by 5 PM on the same day as the voting. The SP has sufficient votes to send two candidates to the Rajya Sabha, but all eyes are now on how Akhilesh Yadav will manage the numbers for a third candidate.
