Archive · 1 Oct 2026
SP Names Reliance Executive Nathwani for Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha
The Samajwadi Party chose Dhanraj Nathwani and Ram Gopal Yadav to compete for Rajya Sabha seats.
Nathwani is a senior executive at Reliance Industries.
He filed his papers in Lucknow with party leader Akhilesh Yadav.
Nathwani said he was thankful for the party’s trust.
Ram Gopal Yadav is a longtime SP leader seeking another term.
The election will fill 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand.
Voting and counting are planned for October 16.
The BJP-led alliance is expected to win most of the Uttar Pradesh seats.
The SP is considering a third candidate, but would need additional support to win that seat.
The Samajwadi Party nominated Reliance executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani and senior leader Ram Gopal Yadav for two Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats.
Nathwani filed his nomination in Lucknow on September 30, 2026, accompanied by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and party leaders.
Nathwani is Group President at Reliance Industries and a director of Reliance New Energy Limited and Reliance Projects and Property Management Services Limited.
Polling for 10 Uttar Pradesh seats, alongside one Uttarakhand seat, is scheduled for October 16, with counting on the same day.
The BJP-led alliance is projected to win eight Uttar Pradesh seats, while the SP and Congress can secure two; the SP says it may field a third candidate.
- Who
- The Samajwadi Party, Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, Ram Gopal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav are central to the nominations.
- What
- The SP nominated Nathwani and Ram Gopal Yadav for the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections.
- When
- Nominations were filed on September 30, 2026; polling and counting are scheduled for October 16, before the sitting members’ terms expire on November 25.
- Where
- Nathwani and Ram Gopal Yadav filed their nominations in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The election is required because the terms of nine Uttar Pradesh members are expiring and a tenth seat became vacant after Dinesh Sharma resigned.
SP’s Rationale
Critics’ Concerns
Choice of candidate
SP’s Rationale
Akhilesh Yadav said the SP wanted to connect with the industrial sector and viewed Nathwani’s nomination as a way to bring a person from a new generation into the Rajya Sabha.
Critics’ Concerns
Congress spokesperson CP Rai said the SP should have nominated a party worker and accused Akhilesh Yadav of prioritizing billionaires over public interests.
Third candidate
SP’s Rationale
SP leaders said the party plans to announce a third candidate and suggested that dissatisfied BJP MLAs could support the party.
Critics’ Concerns
The SP’s current numbers are projected to secure only two seats, meaning a third victory would require support beyond its existing strength and could involve cross-voting.
- SP candidates
- Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani and Ram Gopal Yadav
- Election date
- Polling and counting are scheduled for October 16, 2026; polling is planned from 9 AM to 4 PM.
- Seats involved
- Eleven seats are being contested: 10 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand.
- Projected result
- The BJP-led alliance is projected to win eight Uttar Pradesh seats, while the SP with Congress support can win two.
- Nathwani’s Reliance roles
- He is Group President at Reliance Industries and a director of Reliance New Energy Limited and Reliance Projects and Property Management Services Limited.
- Terms and vacancy
- Nine Uttar Pradesh members’ terms expire on November 25; a tenth seat became vacant after Dinesh Sharma’s resignation.
- Gujarat Cricket Association role
- Articles differ: one describes Nathwani as president since 2022, while another describes him as vice-president since September 2019.
Sources
SP fields Reliance executive Dhanraj Nathwani as Rajya Sabha candidate from Uttar Pradesh
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Fields Reliance Executive Dhanraj Nathwani For Rajya Sabha From UP, Keeps 3rd Candidate Plan Under Wraps
Meet Dhanraj Nathwani, top Reliance executive who is Akhilesh Yadav’s surprise pick for UP Rajya Sabha polls