In response to the Election Commission’s notice seeking disclosure of his relationship with the Ambani family, Gujarat’s Energy and Petroleum Minister Saurabh Patel has sent a reply to the poll panel.
“In my letter, I have clearly informed the EC that I am married to the daughter of Dhirubhai Ambani’s elder brother. That was 25 years ago and that’s what I have said,” Mr. Patel told The Hindu on Thursday.
He said the EC had sought his response following his “official complaint” against Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations against him.
During his visit to Gujarat last month, Mr. Kejriwal alleged that Mr. Patel had been allocated important portfolios of Petroleum, Petrochemicals, Energy and Industries owing to his family relations with the top business family. He accused the Narendra Modi government of giving preferential treatment to Mr. Patel, whom he termed “the son-in-law” of the Ambani family.
Mr. Patel is an MLA from the Akota Assembly constituency, holding the portfolios for Energy and Petrochemicals, Mines and Minerals, Cottage Industry, Salt Industry, Printing, Stationery, Planning, Tourism, Civil Aviation and Labour and Employment. He has been holding the charge of Energy and Petrochemicals departments since 2002, when he was a Minister of State in the Modi government.
