Vijay's astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, gets key post in his government
Vijay's astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, credited with predicting the victory of TVK, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty (Political) to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after the party's electoral win. His close association with several political leaders and his influence on key decisions has drawn attention.
After repeated rejections by the Tamil Nadu Governor, Vijay’s claim to form the government was finally accepted. He had initially fixed May 10 at 3:45 pm for his much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony, but it was later advanced to 10 am on the advice of his personal astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, citing an auspicious “muhurat”. For many, it came as a surprise, but not so much for Vijay and his party. Vettrivel has reportedly been guiding Vijay’s fortunes at every step throughout his political journey.
Now, after Vijay’s assumption of office as Chief Minister, Vettrivel’s fortunes have also risen, with his elevation as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister (Political) on Tuesday.
CLOSE TO POLITICAL CLASS
A prominent spiritual mentor in Tamil Nadu, Vettrivel had already predicted Vijay’s victory well before the elections. Not only Vijay, but several prominent politicians, including Jayalalithaa, have been known to form a beeline in front of Vettrivel’s office. However, when Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won, Vettrivel was among the first to reach Vijay’s doorstep to congratulate him.
For a man who has been in the field of astrology for four decades and has predicted the fortunes of several political bigwigs, whether he foresaw his own entry into politics is not yet known. Close observers in Tamil Nadu politics said former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa often made major decisions after consulting Vettrivel. He also provides astrological advice to people on social media.
Known earlier as Pandit Vettrivel, he later changed his name to Radhan Pandit after moving to Delhi in 2008. In Delhi, he reportedly expanded his clientele to include leaders from both the BJP and Congress.
ASSOCIATION WITH VIJAY & TVK
If there is anyone who could come close to Vettrivel’s prediction about Vijay’s win, it would be Pradeep Gupta and his team at Axis My India, which had projected anywhere between 108 and 120 seats for the political newcomer.
However, even the pollster did not foresee Vijay becoming Chief Minister as early as Vettrivel did. Way ahead of the Assembly elections, Vettrivel had said, after analysing Vijay’s horoscope, that he possessed “tsunami-like strength” in politics.
For many, there is nothing in a name—but in this case, everything was. The party name Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, its launch, and timing were all reportedly aligned with numerological considerations based on Vijay’s birth chart. From the outset, Vettrivel’s numerological inputs were seen as part of shaping the party’s political journey towards the “magic number”.
OPPOSITION OBJECTS TO APPOINTMENT
Meanwhile, the Congress and the Left Front, both extending support to the TVK government, have criticised Vettrivel’s appointment.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the move, asking why an astrologer would require an OSD position in the Chief Minister’s Office.
CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state secretary P Shanmugam said the government must uphold a scientific outlook, calling the appointment of an astrologer “unacceptable”.
“Appointing such a person as an officer at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people,” he wrote on X.
After repeated rejections by the Tamil Nadu Governor, Vijay’s claim to form the government was finally accepted. He had initially fixed May 10 at 3:45 pm for his much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony, but it was later advanced to 10 am on the advice of his personal astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, citing an auspicious “muhurat”. For many, it came as a surprise, but not so much for Vijay and his party. Vettrivel has reportedly been guiding Vijay’s fortunes at every step throughout his political journey.
Now, after Vijay’s assumption of office as Chief Minister, Vettrivel’s fortunes have also risen, with his elevation as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister (Political) on Tuesday.
CLOSE TO POLITICAL CLASS
A prominent spiritual mentor in Tamil Nadu, Vettrivel had already predicted Vijay’s victory well before the elections. Not only Vijay, but several prominent politicians, including Jayalalithaa, have been known to form a beeline in front of Vettrivel’s office. However, when Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won, Vettrivel was among the first to reach Vijay’s doorstep to congratulate him.
For a man who has been in the field of astrology for four decades and has predicted the fortunes of several political bigwigs, whether he foresaw his own entry into politics is not yet known. Close observers in Tamil Nadu politics said former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa often made major decisions after consulting Vettrivel. He also provides astrological advice to people on social media.
Known earlier as Pandit Vettrivel, he later changed his name to Radhan Pandit after moving to Delhi in 2008. In Delhi, he reportedly expanded his clientele to include leaders from both the BJP and Congress.
ASSOCIATION WITH VIJAY & TVK
If there is anyone who could come close to Vettrivel’s prediction about Vijay’s win, it would be Pradeep Gupta and his team at Axis My India, which had projected anywhere between 108 and 120 seats for the political newcomer.
However, even the pollster did not foresee Vijay becoming Chief Minister as early as Vettrivel did. Way ahead of the Assembly elections, Vettrivel had said, after analysing Vijay’s horoscope, that he possessed “tsunami-like strength” in politics.
For many, there is nothing in a name—but in this case, everything was. The party name Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, its launch, and timing were all reportedly aligned with numerological considerations based on Vijay’s birth chart. From the outset, Vettrivel’s numerological inputs were seen as part of shaping the party’s political journey towards the “magic number”.
OPPOSITION OBJECTS TO APPOINTMENT
Meanwhile, the Congress and the Left Front, both extending support to the TVK government, have criticised Vettrivel’s appointment.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the move, asking why an astrologer would require an OSD position in the Chief Minister’s Office.
CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state secretary P Shanmugam said the government must uphold a scientific outlook, calling the appointment of an astrologer “unacceptable”.
“Appointing such a person as an officer at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people,” he wrote on X.
