From Young Professional to Parliament: Akhilesh Yadav Backs Dhanraj Nathwani for Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: A new-generation professional is making his way to national politics. Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani is the Samajwadi Party’s Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttar Pradesh. He filed his nomination in Lucknow on Wednesday in the presence of party president Akhilesh Yadav, alongside senior party leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, who is also the party’s candidate for the Upper House, a press release said.

Nathwani has held senior responsibilities across several key businesses and institutional initiatives of the Reliance group. Nathwani serves as board member of Reliance Corporate IT Park Ltd and drives critical manufacturing and business verticals of RIL, bringing extensive experience across industry, infrastructure and emerging technologies. His public profile extends beyond the corporate sector. Nathwani is president of the Gujarat Cricket Association, where he has been involved in the administration and development of cricket in the state. The association administers the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Samajwadi Party has the numbers in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly to secure the election of both its nominated Rajya Sabha candidates. The election is scheduled for October 16.

Nathwani’s institutional roles extend to areas including religion, wildlife, education and energy research. He is vice-chairman of the Dwarkadhish Temple Administrative Committee in Dwarka and is associated with the Gujarat State Board for Wildlife and Nathdwara Temple Board. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of Pandit Dindayal Energy University and is associated with the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute.

His corporate responsibilities and institutional roles have given him experience across business, infrastructure, sports and public institutions. His nomination by the Samajwadi Party now brings that experience into the political arena, with Uttar Pradesh becoming the focus of his proposed parliamentary role.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Nathwani said, “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.” DeshGujarat