Mumbai: Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani has endorsed Congress leader Milind Deora, who is contesting from Mumbai South constituency in Maharashtra in the national election, in a video tweeted by the candidate. That places Mukesh Ambani on the opposite side of the spectrum from his brother Anil Ambani, who has been relentlessly attacked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
“Milind is the man for South Mumbai… Milind has in-depth knowledge of social, economic and cultural eco-system of the South Bombay constituency,” Mukesh Ambani says in the video montage posted by Milind Deora on his Twitter timeline. The Congress candidate says in his tweet: “From small shopkeepers to large industrialists – for everyone, South Mumbai means business. We need to bring businesses back to Mumbai and make job creation for our youth a top priority.”
It is very rare of India’s richest man to canvass for any candidate.
“I knew that (Mukesh Ambani’s) endorsement or Uday Kotak’s endorsement would get more attention than others but I’m very proud, I’m equally proud that I’m being endorsed by paanwalas, by small traders, by an important industry in this area by the way called MAASMA… That’s something you will have to ask him (Mukesh Ambani) why he felt I’m the right person for South Mumbai ,” said Milind Deora, who has also participated in campaigns related to Mukesh Ambani’s telecom network Jio.
Mukesh Ambani’s endorsement of a Congress candidate is bound to raise eyebrows, with Rahul Gandhi attacking Anil Ambani in every single election speech and interview. The younger Ambani brother is at the core of Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of crony capitalism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He alleges that PM Modi settled for a grossly overpriced deal for 36 Rafale fighters only to help Anil Ambani win a whopping offset deal from Rafale maker Dassault.
Mukesh Ambani last month bailed out Anil Ambani, rescuing him from possible jail time for Rs. 458.77-crore in dues to Ericsson.
Anil Ambani had acknowledged the help in a public letter: “My sincere and heartfelt thanks to my respected elder brother, Mukesh, and (sister-in-law) Nita for standing by me during these trying times, and demonstrating the importance of staying true to our strong family values by extending this timely support. I and my family are grateful we have moved beyond the past, and are deeply touched with this gesture.”
The brothers were locked in a feud for over a decade after Dhirubhai Ambani died without a will in 2002. They split his businesses with Anil Ambani taking power and telecom and Mukesh Ambani keeping the oil and petrochemical businesses. Over the years, their economic gap widened, with Anil Ambani falling into debt and Mukesh Ambani becoming the richest man in Asia.
Their mother Kokilaben Ambani brokered peace between the two in May 2010. Earlier this year, Anil Ambani and his wife Tina attended the weddings of Mukesh Ambani’s son Akash and daughter Isha.
Mumbai South votes on April 29 in the ongoing national election that ends on May 19. The results will be announced on May 23.
