Celebrity duo cause flutter in parliament

The czars of the Indian corporate, social and film world yesterday celebrated their entry into the world of politics.

Anil Ambani, the younger of the Ambani brothers, and Jaya Bachchan, a star in her own right and wife of the indomitable Amitabh Bachchan, took their oath and became members of the Rajya Sabha.

The visitor's gallery in the Upper House probably had never witnessed such a host of celebrities. The entire Bachchan family, including Amitabh, son Abhishek, daughter Shwetha, her in-laws the Nandas, Ritu Nanda, the daughter of late Raj Kapoor, Tina Ambani (formerly Munim) and, wife of Anil; and Parameshwar Godrej, glamorous wife of industrialist Adi Godrej.

The Bachchans, Ambanis, Godrejs and Samajwadi politico Amar Singh, are a close-knit group who do everything together. They were in Amritsar praying at the Golden Temple on Sunday. They also holiday together.

There was a virtual stampede in the corridors of parliament after the Rajya Sabha adjourned following the oath-taking ceremony of members.

Jaya surprised everybody in the House, when she walked up to veteran Congress leader and Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh who sat in the front rows of the treasury benches and touched his feet seeking his blessings.

Singh who also hails from Madhya Pradesh, like Jaya, is a family friend. Jaya's father Bhaduri was a journalist based in Bhopal.

Tina Ambani caused a flutter in the corridors when she rushed to her husband, and gave him a peck on his cheek thrice excitedly.

Amitabh was more sober in showing his appreciation to his wife, and only half hugged her, though Abhishek and Shwetha were more enthusiastic in their hugs to their mother.

With their entry, the Rajya Sabha boasts some of the biggest names in the corporate and film world. They include liquor baron Vijay Mallya, hotelier Lalit Suri, and corporate czar R.P. Goenka. While in the Lok Sabha there is a veritable array of stars including Dharmendra, Govinda, Vinod Khanna, Ambarish and Jayaprada.