Parimal Nathwani promises 'return gift' to AP for sending him to Rajya Sabha

Hyderabad: Industrialist and Reliance Group vice-president Parimal Nathwani was in Vijayawada on 10 March to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy. He thanked Jagan for giving him an opportunity to serve as Rajya Sabha member of YSRCP.

It may be recalled that Jagan nominated Mr Nathwani as a Rajya Sabha member from AP following a request by Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani. On 29 February,

Mr Ambani made a personal visit to Jagan's residence in Tadepally in Vijayawada and sought a Rajya Sabha ticket for his close friend Mr Nathwani under AP quota. AP, which has four vacancies, will go to polls on 26 March.

Since YSRCP enjoys a majority in the AP Assembly, the party winning all the four Rajya Sabha seats is a foregone conclusion as the Opposition TDP lacks the numbers in the Assembly to even file candidates, let alone win the seats. Jagan obliged to Mr Ambani's request and nominated Mr Nathwani on 9 March.

Mr Nathwani is a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand. He contested as an Independent and won the seat with the support of BJP. His term will expire in April. However, his reelection from Jharkhand will be difficult as the BJP does not have enough numbers to support him and also the ruling JMM in Jharkhand is averse to support Mr Nathwani. Due to this, he chose AP as a safe bet and roped his friend Mukesh Ambani to lobby for a seat.

Jagan and Mr Ambani do not enjoy cordial relations after the YSRCP, following news reports published on a Russian website , accused the Ambani brothers of killing Jagan’s father and late Chief Minister Y.S Rajasekhar Reddy in a chopper crash in September 2009. The news, however, proved to be fake. Mr Ambani came all the way to AP to meet Jagan seeking a Rajya Sabha seat for his friend. Jagan, too, reciprocated positively saying his nomination will help AP to develop confidence among investors and attract big investments into the state.

After meeting and thanking Jagan, Mr Nathwani, while speaking to the press, said he will give a “return gift” to AP for sending him to Rajya Sabha again. "I will use my good offices to attract big investments to AP as Rajya Sabha member. I will work hard for the industrial development of Andhra Pradesh. I will use my good will among business community for the industrial growth of AP," he said. He will formally file his nomination papers for Rajya Sabha election on Wednesday.