Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy has selected Parimal Nathwani, a close associate of industrialist Mukesh Ambani as one of his party’s four nominees for the Rajya Sabha from the state.
The biennial elections to the upper house of Parliament are scheduled to be held on March 26.
Speaking to media, YSRCP senior leader Ummareddy Venkateswarlu announced party leaders Mopidevi Venkatramana, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose and industrialist Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy as the three other candidates.
Nathwani is the senior group president managing in the Reliance Industries Limited chaired by Ambani. The two industrialists along with Ambani’s son Anant Ambani had met chief minister Reddy at his Tadepalli residence on February 29 seeking Nathwani’s candidature from Andhra Pradesh. Nathwani, with Gujarat origins, is a two-time Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand.
Nathwani tweeted that he met the CM of Andhra Pradesh to express his gratitude after the announcement of his candidacy and that both “discussed at length various issues concerning the state.”
“Nathwani’s selection is based on the request from Ambani who has assured all help the state in industrial growth,” said Ummareddy.
YSRCP senior leaders Mopidevi and Pilli are ministers in the Jagan cabinet who are presently members of the state legislative council. Since Jagan has decided to abolish the council and a resolution in this regard is already sent for the centre’s approval, the two backward caste leaders are now being sent to the Rajya Sabha.
YSRCP with 151 MLAs in the 175 members house is expected to win all four seats.
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