Lucknow: Amid murmurs within the Samajwadi Party against Akhilesh Yadav’s choice of candidate for a Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh, his nominee Dhanraj Nathwani’s effusive praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deepened the unease with the party, while also handing rivals the opportunity to allege a “match-fixing between Gujarat and Saifai”.
The Nathwani family from Gujarat is known to be close to PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Dhanraj Nathwani’s father, Parimal Nathwani, won Rajya Sabha elections thrice as an Independent candidate from Jharkhand with the BJP’s support.
He was the vice-president of the Gujarat Cricket Association during Modi’s and Shah’s tenures as GCA president. Dhanraj succeeded Shah as the GCA president in 2022. The father-son duo have been associated with the Reliance Group.
The SP announced Dhanraj Nathwani’s candidature on 30 September. He filed his nomination papers the same day. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was among those present. Dhanraj’s nomination papers were found in order on 7 October, and he is set to get elected unopposed.
On Wednesday evening, Dhanraj Nathwani posted a lengthy message on X congratulating Modi on completing 25 years in public office. He also shared a video highlighting Modi’s political journey from Gujarat chief minister to leading the country as the prime minister.
“25 years of leadership. 25 years of dedication. 25 years of ‘resolve to serve’. Since taking oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, Narendra Modi has embarked on a remarkable journey , from serving Gujarat to leading India as Prime Minister,” Nathwani wrote.
“Despite changing times and new challenges, his unwavering conviction, determination and commitment to nation-building have remained constant. As we mark 25 years of public service, we celebrate a journey driven by one enduring spirit ,the resolve to serve, national duty and an unwavering commitment to a rising India,” he added, wishing Modi continued strength and success in the service of the nation.
25 years of leadership. 25 years of dedication. 25 years of Seva ka Sankalp.
Since taking oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, Shri Narendra Modi has travelled a remarkable journey—from serving Gujarat to leading India as Prime Minister.
Through changing times and… pic.twitter.com/7mP3YL2IgA
— Dhanraj Nathwani (@DhanrajNathwani) October 7, 2026
Modi became the chief minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, and served in the post for more than 12 years before becoming prime minister in 2014.
Several social media users have also questioned why a Rajya Sabha nominee from the SP was publicly praising the prime minister at a time when the party is a key opponent of the BJP.
A senior SP leader told ThePrint on the condition of anonymity that X post had left party leaders in an uncomfortable position.
“On the one hand, we oppose the BJP and Modi, while on the other, our own Rajya Sabha nominee is praising Modi. We do not understand how we are supposed to defend this. Our core supporters are disappointed with this choice. The Nathwani family is close to Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” the leader said.
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AIMIM raises questions
The development has also given a chance to the AIMIM to raise questions on Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to nominate Nathwani.
“Yeh rishta kya kehlata hai? Akhilesh ji’s favourite Rajya Sabha nominee is eulogising Modi ji,” AIMIM spokesperson Shadab Chauhan asked on X.
He alleged that Nathwani’s post had vindicated his party’s earlier claim of ‘a match-fixing’ between Gujarat and Saifai, the Yadav family bastion. He also asked SP leaders, including its Muslim MPs and MLAs, whether they agreed with Nathwani’s praise of Modi.
“Do you also praise Modi ji, who has brought laws against Muslims? Or was this done at your behest? Does Akhilesh ji make alliances with one party from outside while there is an alliance between Gujarat and Saifai from within?” Chauhan said, while making further allegations against the SP.
The BJP, meanwhile, sought to turn Nathwani’s post into a political advantage for Modi. Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said Nathwani was new to politics and had spoken “from the heart, not the mind.”
“Even Akhilesh Yadav praises Modi ji from the heart, but he has political compulsions in his mind,” Tripathi said. “Modi ji’s 25 years in public life brought revolutionary changes in the lives of the poor. Leaders from several countries also praised the prime minister.”
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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It’s an open secret. Most Congress, SP and DMK leaders admire Modi in private. They marvel at his political career and the leaps this nation has taken under his stewardship.
But Nathwani is an idiot to say so publicly after having been nominated as the SP candidate for RS.