On her first day, however, she had to share the limelight with fellow member Jaya Bachchan, who caught the attention of the House by plunging into a heated discussion started by the BJP. The issue - the plight of Indian workers stranded in the southern African country of Angola .

Her unexpected display of parliamentary feistiness surprised other members, who quipped that it was perhaps due to Rekha's debut. Rekha was greeted with a thumping of desks when her name was called out.

Her seat number was 99, right behind seat 91, where her "Silsila" co-star Jaya used to sit earlier. Rekha sat for part of the question hour session.

Jaya, a second-term MP from the Samajwadi Party , is known for her "active", but quiet conduct. In fact, during her first term (2004-2010), she was almost never heard in any debate.

"We can expect more such fireworks from the Samajwadi MP," quipped a minister. Jaya, who arrived before Rekha, took the House by surprise when she joined BJP members in raising the issue of Indian workers in Angola.

She compelled minister for overseas Indian affairs, K Vayalar Ravi , to give an assurance that he would seek details about the workers. This was perhaps the first time that Jaya, who returned to the House last month after a gap of two years, pushed herself into the parliamentary rough and tumble.

Itni mehnat, eh? Seat change? It's Jaya's Silsila: Amar Reacting to reports that Jaya Bachchan had demanded a change in her seat in the Rajya Sabha after Rekha's nomination, Rashtriya Lokmanch Party president Amar Singh said it was her own "silsila". "I don't want to say anything on why Jaya Bachchan changed her seat.

It's her own silsila, her own business, her own affair. I don't have any comment to make on it," Amar told reporters.

"Amitabh Bachchan is my friend and I have seen Rekha in his films. I congratulated her when I met her today.

I don't have any personal equation with her though," he added. ( Agencies ) Fellow mps not impressed? We have seen far bigger legends, people far more glamorous - Hema Malini , Dharmendra , Rajesh Khanna - in Parliament - Balbir Punj , BJP Fewer MPs thumped their desks when she took her oath today.

More people cheered for me when I took my oath - Najma Heptulla , BJP She is not as beautiful as Hema Malini. She says she is 57, but somehow looks much older - Congress MP from West Bengal (less)