Saudi-based Billionaire Files Nomination For Himachal Assembly Polls

Prakash Rana, an India-born billionaire diamond merchant based in Saudi Arabia, will contest the Vidhan Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh. Rana, who will enter the fray as an independent candidate, filed his nomination from the Jogindernagar constituency in Mandi district.

The businessman decided to contest as an independent candidate after approaching various political parties to choose him as the candidate from the constituency, Dainik Bhaskar reported. The Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh are scheduled to be held on Nov. 9, and the result will be declared on Dec. 18.

Mandi(HP): Billionaire Prakash Rana who now lives in Saudi Arabia has filed nomination as an independent candidate #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/UAw9hPddeO

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2017

For Rana, contesting the elections is a means of fulfilling his father’s wish of entering politics to serve the people, contribute to society and help in the development of Jogindernagar. “You have seen the quality of the roads here, people here still don’t have access to clean drinking water, and there is only one functioning hospital here. A lot of work needs to be done here,” he told ANI.

“Around 700 Indians are working in my business in Dubai, of which about 80 of them are from Himachal,” he told Hill Post. “I spend 7 to 10 percent of my profit for development work in Jogindernagar area.” Rana added that if he wins, he would work without salary or perks, spending his time only for the development of the area.

The aspiring politician comes to his village of Lad Bharol in a helicopter from Delhi, for which he had built a helipad in front of his bungalow. Rana moved to Saudi Arabia in 1985 and owns various companies there. His business interests span across different sectors, including transport, construction, diamond and engineering equipment.