Bollywood stars in our country are no less than idols. Their popularity cuts across all sections of society, they have high visibility and also command a cult following—traits shared by top politicians in any country. That is why it’s no wonder that actors find an easy entry and acceptance into the world of politics. Once they do get elected, however, the results are a mixed bag. This issue Corporate Citizen brings you a list of actors currently serving in the Parliament, and the impact they have had.
Member of: Lok Sabha, elected from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Tenure: Since May 2014
Attendance: 14 percent
Report Card: Hema Malini has been active in politics since she campaigned for Vinod Khanna in 1999. In 2004, she officially joined the BJP. She was a Rajya Sabha MP from 2003-2009, and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014. Her Parliament attendance record is a dismal 14 percent. However, Hema Malini is an animal rights activist, and has tried to do her part for their cause. In 2009, she wrote a letter to the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner urging him to ban horse carriages from the Mumbai’s busy streets. In 2011, she wrote to the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, urging him to ban bullfighting (jallikattu).
Member of: Rajya Sabha, Representing Samajwadi Party
Tenure: Since April 2012
Attendance: 58 percent
Report Card: Jaya Bachchan may not be active in films for a while, but she has been active in politics for over a decade. Bachchan was first elected in 2004 as a Samajwadi Party member of Parliament, representing Rajya Sabha, and in February 2010 she stated her intent to complete her term. She was re-elected in 2012. She has been very vocal in Parliament over women’s rights, especially during the tragic Nirbhaya incident. She has also been appreciated for taking her duties in Parliament seriously, having a 58 percent attence record from 2010-2013.
Member of : Lok Sabha, elected from Patna Sahib, Bihar
Tenure : Since 2014
Attendance: 77 percent
Report Card: Out of all the actors holding political office, Shatrugan Sinha is the most seasoned. He is a veteran of the Bharatiya Janata Party and is the head of the BJP culture and arts department since 2006. He has also held portfolios such as the department of health and family welfare (Jan 2003-May 2004), and the department of shipping (August 2004). He is currently a member of the Lok Sabha from Patna Sahib in Bihar. Shatrugan Sinha is passionate about politics, which can be seen from his attendance record of 77 percent in Parliament since 2014. He has always been at the forefront when it comes to development initiatives in Bihar, and is often looked upon as the unofficial brand ambassador of the state.
Member of: Rajya Sabha, representing Trinamool Congress
Tenure: Since Feb 2014
Attendance: Extremely low
Report Card: Mithun Chakraborty joined as member of Parliament after he was nominated to be the candidate for the Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament elections by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, for her All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal Rajya Sabha Assembly polls which were held on February 7, 2014. In the two years that he has been a member of Rajya Sabha, actor Mithun Chakraborty has attended Parliament for all of three days. He hasn’t raised any questions to the house, and has been absent citing health reasons. Only time will tell if he manages to make an impact or becomes just another famous name in the Rajya Sabha.
Member of: Rajya Sabha, Congress nominated
Tenure: Since 2012
Attendance: 5.1 percent
Report Card: Nominated to the Upper House in 2012, Rekha is yet to participate in any debate so far and her continuous absence has raised eyebrows. More than halfway through her term, she has spent just Rs.71 lakh out of Rs.2.5 crore released by the government. When Rekha has been present in the Upper House, she has not asked a single question till now.
By Neeraj Varty
