LUCKNOW: From overseeing major Reliance businesses and infrastructure projects to running Gujarat’s cricket administration, Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani has built a career spanning corporate strategy, sports and public institutions. On Wednesday, that profile entered the political arena after the Samajwadi Party named him its Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttar Pradesh.Nathwani, a senior Reliance executive and president of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), filed his nomination in Lucknow in the presence of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and party leaders. He was named alongside veteran SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav.His nomination also puts the spotlight on the Nathwani family’s long association with the Rajya Sabha. His father, Reliance Industries director-corporate affairs Parimal Nathwani, secured another term in the Upper House in June with the backing of the BJP-led NDA. Dhanraj is now seeking entry through the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.
What does Dhanraj Nathwani do at Reliance?
Nathwani’s corporate profile covers several businesses within the Reliance ecosystem. He oversees the Jamnagar manufacturing divisions and has strategic responsibilities relating to Reliance Jio’s operations in Gujarat.He is also a board member of Reliance Corporate IT Park Ltd and heads the group’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) vertical, with responsibilities for construction and infrastructure projects.Nathwani also oversees Reliance Jio Defence System Ltd. His profile lists him as director of Reliance New Energy Ltd, with his responsibilities extending across manufacturing, infrastructure, new energy, defence and real estate.
His role in Gujarat cricket
Outside Reliance, Nathwani is a prominent sports administrator.He became president of the Gujarat Cricket Association in 2022, succeeding Amit Shah. The GCA administers the Narendra Modi Stadium.Under his profile, his work in cricket administration includes governance, sports infrastructure and grassroots development. He is also associated with football administration in Gujarat.The Nathwani family has itself been closely associated with Gujarat cricket administration. His father, Parimal Nathwani, served as vice-president of the GCA. The association has credited Parimal Nathwani, Amit Shah and Jay Shah with executing the Narendra Modi Stadium project.
Temple, wildlife and education connections
Nathwani’s institutional roles extend beyond corporate and sports organisations.He is vice-chairperson of the Dwarkadhish Temple Administrative Committee and is associated with the Nathdwara Temple Board and Gujarat State Board for Wildlife.His profile also lists associations with Pandit Dindayal Energy University, Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, GLS University and the Gujarat Ecological Education & Research Foundation.He is also a member of the executive committee of the Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society and has been associated with initiatives involving Gir lions.
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How did his family enter Parliament?
Dhanraj’s political entry follows a long parliamentary journey by his father.Parimal Nathwani first entered the Rajya Sabha in 2008 as an Independent from Jharkhand. He secured a second term in 2014 with support from the BJP and AJSU.In 2020, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh by the then ruling YSR Congress Party. Six years later, he returned to Jharkhand as an NDA-backed Independent and won another term in June.Dhanraj’s candidature takes a different political route. The SP has chosen him for one of the Rajya Sabha seats being contested in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP-led alliance and SP are the principal forces in the current assembly arithmetic.
What did Nathwani say after nomination?
After filing his papers, Nathwani thanked Akhilesh Yadav for the nomination and described the move as a new phase in his public life.“I express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the Honourable National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav Ji for nominating me as the Samajwadi Party candidate for Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh,” he said in a post on X.He added that he had filed his nomination in Lucknow in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav and thanked people for their “affection, trust, and best wishes”.
Education
Nathwani holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Regent Business School in London.With his nomination, his profile now stretches from Reliance’s manufacturing, infrastructure, new energy and defence businesses to Gujarat cricket administration and a range of educational, wildlife, temple and heritage institutions.
