Graph of business in Modi sarkar

Gujarati inclining
Maharastrian declining

Marathi businessmen feeling insecure due to the rising popularity of their Gujarati counterparts in the city.

Ever since the NDA government has come to power Gujarati businessmen are laughing their way to the bank on the other hand Maharastrian businessmen are getting a raw deal in the city. The Gujarati community has a strong presence in business and trading field. Even though Marathi businessmen are working hard but their efforts are not recognised as they are overshadowed by Gujarati businessmen. As a result of this local businessmen are feeling insecure.

Prominent businessmen whose popularity has been surging day by day include Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani, Cyrusbhai Poonawalla, Uday Kotak etc.

A Marathi businessman spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “Several Marathi businessmen are known to run their business efficiently. Most of them are not getting their due as Gujarati businessmen rule the roost in the city.”

“Kirloskar Group is a renowned local business organization in the state and India’s largest engineering conglomerate. But nobody is talking about them” he added further.

Shantanurao Kirloskar created a business empire of Engineering Technology that enjoyed one of the highest growth rates in Indian history, a staggering 32,401% growth of assets from 1950-1991. Kirloskar was awarded Padmabhushan in the year 1965 for his contribution to trade and industry.

According to Marathi businessmen Gujarati businessmen has come into limelight after Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister. Prior to the Lok Sabha election campaign the buzz of Narendra Modi was created not as Indian Prime Ministerial candidate but as a Gujarati candidate for Prime Minister’s post.

Even political parties have raised their concern about the growth of Gujarati businessmen in the city. Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna’s editorial accused Gujarati traders of using Mumbai as a “whore” but never giving back to the city where they earn their fortune, and always preferring their home state over Mumbai when it comes to philanthropy. The editorial had virtually threatened Mumbai’s Gujarati community to vote for Sena candidates during the forthcoming assembly elections.

Nitesh Rane, the younger son of Industries Minister Narayan Rane, had criticized the Gujarati community for praising Narendra Modi and mocking their choice of being vegetarians. He also had asked them to quit the city.

The list of renowned Gujarati businessman who possess strong foothold in Maharashtra are as follows:
1. Mukeshbhai Ambani, 51 year old owner of Reliance Industries (RIL) who is regarded as one of the popular tycoon in the country.
2. Anil Ambani is the younger brother of Mukesh. He leads a large number of listed corporations including Reliance Capital, Reliance Infra, Reliance Power and Reliance Communications. Ambani’s networth is $5.9 billion according to the Forbes billionaire list for 2014.
3. Cyrusbhai Poonawalla, is a Pune based 67 year old Parsi Gujarati. He runs Serum Institute of India, one of world’s largest makers of children vaccines. He exports to 140 countries.
4. Uday Kotak, is a Mumbai based 49 year old Gujarati. He founded and runs Kotak Mahindra Bank.
5. Tulsibhai Tanti, is a 50 year old Gujarati based in Pune. Tanti owns India’s wind power giant Suzlon Energy.
6. Hemantbhai Shah is a 55 year old Mumbai based Gujarati businessman. Hemant is a civil engineer with a self-developed construction business. Son of a Bollywood film producer, Hemant listed his Akruti City in 2006. He is partnering with DLF in several projects, including an IT park in Pune.