Rekha takes oath as member of Rajya Sabha

Cine superstar Rekha on Tuesday took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha, becoming yet another personality from the tinsel town to enter the portals of Parliament.

Clad in golden brown saree and a matching high-heel sandals, the 57-year-old actor of yesteryears arrived in the Upper House at 10.57 am and was immediately surrounded by members who greeted her profusely.

Renowned journalist and nominated member H K Dua offered her his seat no. 97 and was seen explaining the procedure before Chairman Hamid Ansari took his seat.

She was greeted with thumping of desk when her name was called for taking oath.

"I Rekha Ganeshan" she said, swearing in the name of God in her brief oath in English.

Ansari remarked "welcome" as she walked up to him after taking oath and greeted him with folded hands.

After signing the member register, she greeted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley and other leaders before walking to her allotted seat no 99.

Her 'Silsila' rival, Jaya Bachchan (SP), who entered the House before her, occupied her new seat and was engrossed in the day's agenda and the two ladies of Bollywood did not greet each other.

Rekha, seated next to Anu Aga (Nom), put on headphones as the House took up listed questions. In between she exchanged notes with Javed Akhtar.

Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was among those who greeted her before the House began.

Nineteen minutes and 23 seconds into the proceedings, Rekha stood up, shook hands with Aga and Dua before making a quiet exit from the House.

Rekha, who was nominated to the Upper House on April 26 along with Sachin Tendulkar, met the Chairman and the Prime Minister in Parliament before taking oath.

There was excitement outside Parliament House and in the corridors as the Bollywood star of the 80s arrived. News camerapersons ran towards her vehicle as it arrived near the main entrance of Parliament.

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