The Hindu Business Line : Anil Ambani runs for Rajya Sabha from UP

Mr Anil Ambani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries, and Ms Jaya Bachchan file their nomination papers for Rajya Sabha elections, while Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, looks on, in Lucknow on Wednesday. Also seen is Mr Ambani's wife, Ms Tina Ambani. — Subir Roy

Mumbai , June 16

MR Anil D. Ambani, the 45-year-old Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, today filed his nomination papers for election to Rajya Sabha.

If elected, Mr Ambani, a post-graduate in management from Wharton University, would join a string of industrialists such as Mr Vijay Mallya of the UB group and Mr Rajkumar Dhoot of the Videocon group, in the Upper House of Parliament.

Mr Ambani is contesting the RS elections as an independent candidate from Uttar Pradesh. He is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Development Council, an independent council entrusted with the task of economic development of the State, according to a press release issued by the office of Mr Anil Ambani.

Mr Ambani, who is perceived to be close to the Samajwadi Party chief and UP Chief Minister, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, and the SP General Secretary, Mr Amar Singh, was quoted in the release as saying, "It will be my honour and privilege to make my humble contribution to the development of India as an economic superpower and the fast-track progress of the State of Uttar Pradesh, in accordance with my late father's desire and wishes."

While Mr Ambani's late father, Dhirubhai Ambani, was known to be close to policymakers in New Delhi, this is the first time that a person from the family has aspired to be a lawmaker. Dhirubhai's close rapport with the then Prime Minister, Ms Indira Gandhi, and other top politicians when he was building his petrochemicals empire in the licence raj days was legendary.

"With the blessings of Lord Shiva, the blessings of my late father Dhirubhai Ambani, the blessings and support of my dear mother Kokilaben, and support of all members of the Ambani family, well wishers and friends, it is my privilege and honour to have filed my nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha from the State of Uttar Pradesh," Mr Anil Ambani was further quoted in the press release.

Incidentally, Reliance Energy, the Mumbai-based power company of which Mr Ambani is the Chairman, today informed the stock exchanges that it had signed a State Support Agreement with the Government of UP, where it is setting up the world's largest gas-based power plant. The power station set to come up near Dadri in the State would cost Rs 11,000-crore and generate over 3,000 MW on completion.

The company has, however, not elaborated what support UP has promised the project. According to an independent project advisor, State support in such cases could be anything — land, special labour provisions, concessions or even funding support.

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