RIL Executive Dhanraj Nathwani enters politics as Samajwadi Party’s Rajya Sabha UP pick

Senior corporate leader Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, Group President at Reliance Industries and a Director at Reliance New Energy Limited, has been named the Rajya Sabha candidate of the Samajwadi Party (SP) from Uttar Pradesh.

His nomination is notable given his longstanding corporate and public profile in Gujarat, where he has been associated with business, sports and cultural initiatives.

Nathwani filed his nomination in Lucknow on Wednesday in the presence of SP chief and former UP Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav.

The 40-year-old executive is the son of Parimal Nathwani, a veteran Reliance executive and Independent Rajya Sabha MP who is currently serving his fourth term in the Upper House. Dhanraj Nathwani holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Regent Business School, London.

Nathwani has so far built his public profile primarily through his corporate responsibilities at Reliance and his involvement in sports administration and social initiatives in Gujarat.

His nomination by the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP is particularly notable given his corporate profile and longstanding association with Gujarat.

According to his professional profile, Nathwani’s responsibilities at RIL have included oversight of the Jamnagar and Vadodara manufacturing divisions, as well as non-technical functions including corporate affairs, finance, HR, security and CSR. RIL filings have also listed him as Group President overseeing the company’s Jamnagar and Vadodara manufacturing operations and Reliance Jio’s business in Gujarat.

He is also a director in other Reliance Group entities, including Reliance New Energy Limited. His corporate career has been closely linked to the group for over a decade.

Nathwani has also built a profile in sports administration. He was elected President of the Gujarat Cricket Association in 2022, succeeding Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He has also been associated with the Gujarat State Football Association and the administration of the Dwarkadhish Temple.

His interests extend to wildlife conservation and photography, with a particular focus on Gujarat’s natural heritage, including the Gir landscape.

Nathwani’s entry into electoral politics marks a shift from a career rooted primarily in corporate management, sports administration and social initiatives to a formal political role.