Newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs from the DMK – Tiruchi Siva, Andhiyur Selvaraj and N.R. Elango skipped taking their oath because it was ‘Aadi’ month. Aadi month according to Tamil calendar is considered inauspicious to start any endeavour.
However, they mentioned that they were not able to go considering the prevailing situation due to COVID19 and the lack of accommodation and food facilities.
Dinamalar, a Tamil news daily reported that, though they had cited the above reason it was told that it was not advisable to take oath now as it was Aadi month and that they would anyway go to Delhi in September (when the Parliament is expected to reconvene) during which they will take their oath.
Other MPs elected from Tamil Nadu like GK Vasan of Tamil Maanila Congress, KP Munusamy and Thambidurai of AIADMK took their oath.
DMK is considered as a party that upholds the ‘rationalist’ principles of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (known as Periyar by his followers).