Fri Jul 25 06:17:37 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Tamil Nadu Sends New Faces to Rajya Sabha as Haasan Takes Oath**

**Chennai, July 25, 2025** – Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan, along with P. Wilson, Rajathi alias Salma, and S.R. Sivalingam, were sworn in as Rajya Sabha members representing Tamil Nadu on Friday. All four candidates, backed by the DMK and its allies, took their oaths in Tamil.

“I am very proud and honoured,” Haasan told reporters outside Parliament after the ceremony. The 69-year-old actor-turned-politician secured his seat with the support of the DMK, which allocated one of its seats to its ally, MNM.

The swearing-in ceremony follows the unopposed election of six members from Tamil Nadu to the Rajya Sabha on June 12, including I.S. Inbadurai and M. Dhanapal from the AIADMK. Except for Wilson, all others are first-time members of the Upper House.

The newly elected members replace outgoing parliamentarians Vaiko, Anbumani Ramadoss, M. Mohamed Abdulla, M. Shanmugam, and N. Chandrasegharan.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin congratulated both the incoming and outgoing members in a post on X, praising the contributions of the departing MPs. Quoting C.N. Annadurai, he affirmed the commitment of DMK MPs to champion Tamil Nadu’s rights in the Rajya Sabha. Stalin specifically lauded Vaiko for his long and impactful service, Shanmugam for representing the working class, Abdulla for promoting nationalism and religious harmony, and Wilson for his legal defense of social justice.

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