The poor attendance record of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and actress Rekha in the Rajya Sabha has created a lot of furore with many people saying that this is an insult to the Parliament.
While many MPs are known to be irregular in Parliament, here's a list of famous celebrities nominated for one of the 12 seats in the Upper House. These seats are reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in various fields such as the arts, sciences or social services, or members from the Lok Sabha. Here's how each of them fared in attendance:
(All data has been compiled based on numbers from the monitoring group PRS Legislative Research)
Sachin Tendulkar
Failing to attend a single session this year, Sachin Tendulkar has been criticised for having 0% attendence in the Rajya Sabha. The ace sportsman's average attendance since 2009-14 is 3%, as per PRS.
However, in his defence Sachin said there was a medical emergency that kept him away from Delhi and that he 'did not mean any disrespect to any institution'
Rekha
Her below average attendance percentage (5%) drew the nation's attention when other MPs objected to it in the Parliament. She was sworn in as honourable mebers of the Upper House in 2012. She recorded her highest attendance during the winter session, at a mere 10%, according to PRS.
Unlike Sachin Tendulkar and Hema Malini, the actor hasn't realeased any statement in her defence yet.
Hema Malini
Like her constituency - Mathura, the Parliament has also been waiting to get a glimpse of their BJP MP. PRS reveals Hema Malini's poor attendance record (just 14% from 2012-14), and 0% attendance so far this year. While on Twitter, the 66-year-old actor-turned-politician defended the charge against her by saying, "I will work for my people wherever I am."
The 'dream girl' Bollywood, who is also a classical dancer of international repute, has been in the United States since July 8, performing in Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York and Jacksonville.
Tapas Pal
The Bengali actor Tapas Pal is also part of this list. Tapas, the Trinamool Congress MP since 2009, benched himself seeking leave of absence from Parlaiment's budget session after his controversial 'shoot and rape' comment against women, to avenge opposition attacks on Trinamool's women supporters.
The actor-turned-MP informed Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan that he needed leave to recover from 'high blood pressure and back pain that has immobilized him.'
Jaya Bachchan
Elected in 2010, the Samajwadi Party member Jaya Bachchan is an exception, as the actor is seen taking her role as an MP more seriously than the other celebrities. As per MP track by PRS Legislative Research, Jaya Bachchan has a 58% attendance record from 2010-2013.
Unlike other celebrities, Jaya Bachchan's attendance has improved greatly over the last three years. What makes her different from other celebrities is that she has even spoken up for raging issues like the Delhi gang-rape of December 2012 and 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Shatrughan Sinha
Defeating Shekhar Suman, 'Shotgun' Sinha of Bollywood became a cabinet minister in the 13th Lok Sabha from Bihar. Currently a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he has a decent attendance record of 77% in Parliament this year.
Images Credit: RNA, Getty Images
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}