How Vijay rushed to correct his first misstep as CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay's appointment of his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the CM, triggered the first major political controversy that his TVK government faced. However, a day after the appointment, the TVK government revoked the order after parties, including some of his allies, slammed the move.
Actor C Joseph Vijay's political journey has so far carried the momentum of a blockbuster. But within days of becoming the CM of Tamil Nadu, an unusual appointment emerged as Vijay's first misstep, handing the opposition an early opportunity to target the TVK-led coalition government. On Wednesday, the Vijay-led government rushed to correct it.
Vijay appointed his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister. A government order issued on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Vijay's astrologer as his OSD, effective from the date of joining.
However a day after the order, the TVK government revoked Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel's appointment as the OSD to CM Vijay.
An OSD is a nominal administrative post created to manage specific assignments, high-priority projects, or sensitive responsibilities within the government. Politicians appoint senior bureaucrats, specialists, or trusted advisors as OSD. The position receives its remuneration through taxpayers' money, and this became the vital reason for criticism of Vijay's decision.
While CM Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), supported by several parties, passed the floor test on Wednesday, some of his coalition partners too have slammed him over the appointment of his personal astrologer as an OSD.
The allies of the TVK government, including the Congress, VCK, CPI, and CPI(M), had criticised the move, calling for the promotion of scientific temper. The leaders of these parties had highlighted some of Pandit's earlier comments, like "mantras treating heart attacks".
VIJAY FACES FLAK FROM COALITION PARTNERS OVER OSD PICK
Vijay's decision to appoint his personal astrologer as an adviser to the Chief Minister is one of the rarest cases in India. The decision triggered sharp criticism from coalition partners who aligned with Vijay's TVK in forming the government. Leaders from the Congress, VCK, and Left parties questioned the move, arguing that it goes against Tamil Nadu's long-standing rationalist and secular political traditions.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the necessity of the appointment of the astrologer as the OSD. "Why would an astrologer require an OSD position?" Senthil posted on X, sharing the government order of the appointment on Tuesday.
Congress MP Jothimani urged Vijay to reconsider the decision, warning that it could undermine the ideological foundations that the TVK claims to uphold.
"The honourable CM Vijay should reconsider the appointment of his astrologer as Officer on Special Duty in a government led by the TVK, which claims Periyar as its ideological leader," Jothimani posted on X. The Karur MP also pointed out that the TVK projects Periyar as its ideological inspiration and advised CM Vijay to avoid such controversies early in his tenure.
The criticism was even sharper from the VCK and Left parties. VCK General Secretary D Ravikumar termed the appointment "unacceptable in a secular government" and urged Vijay to withdraw the decision immediately.
On Wednesday, during the crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, VCK MLA Vanni Arasu criticised Vijay for his astrologer appointment decision. "Our government should give importance to scientific thinking and not astrology," Arasu said ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly confidence motion.
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the government had a responsibility to promote "scientific temper and rational thinking", arguing that appointing an astrologer to an official government role at public expense would only encourage superstition. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian raised similar concerns. The backlash has also revived comparisons with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's reported reliance on astrologers.
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram also took a swipe at the appointment with a cryptic "Caligula–Incitatus" reference, comparing it to the Roman emperor who allegedly appointed his horse to a government post.
BEFORE VIJAY, JAYALALITHAA USED RADHAN PANDIT'S SERVICES
Radhan Pandit is a well-known astrologer, numerologist, and spiritual advisor from Tamil Nadu. Pandit has spent more than four decades practising Vedic astrology.
Pandit is also a spokesperson of the TVK and is considered one of Vijay's close personal advisors. He had predicted Vijay would achieve "a tsunami victory" in the Tamil Nadu polls.
While the Assembly poll results were being counted on May 4, Pandit rushed to Vijay's residence in Chennai. This interaction quickly drew attention on social media. Images and reports of the meeting, which included the exchange of bouquets and greetings, went viral.
Pandit reportedly began his career in South India under the name "Pandit Vettrivel". In 2008, he moved to Delhi and adopted the more North Indian-sounding name Rickey Radhan Pandit as he expanded his clientele nationally and internationally.
Pandit guides politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, and celebrities through personalised yearly predictions.
Before his association with Vijay, Pandit was also linked to former CM and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa during the late 1980s and 1990s, according to reports. Pandit claims that he had predicted Jayalalithaa's 1991 electoral victory and advised changes linked to her public image, including the addition of an extra "A" in her name. Jayalalithaa, who is also believed to be a staunch believer in astrology, parted ways with Pandit reportedly after some predictions failed to materialise.
Radhan Pandit has also played an active political role as a spokesperson for TVK, frequently appearing in media debates and offering commentary that blends astrology with political analysis.
Radhan Pandit's association with Vijay has amplified his public profile. His appointment as the OSD to the CM made Pandit a social media sensation and also attracted criticism.
VIJAY RUSHED TO CORRECT HIS FIRST MISSTEP AS TAMIL NADU CM
Facing massive backlash, Vijay on Wednesday said he would reconsider his decision of appointing his astrologer as the OSD to the CM.
After the floor test, the TVK backed Pandit's appointment as the OSD to CM Vijay. "Pandit is our media spokesperson, and that's why we appointed him to the government post," TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar told India Today TV. "Being an astrologer is Pandit's personal life, and anybody can be appointed as the OSD to the CM," Kumar added.
However, amid massive criticism from the alliance partners and the rivals, the TVK government revoked Pandit's appointment as an OSD to the Chief Minister's office.
In an office proceeding issued on May 13, the Tamil Nadu government's Public Department said the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was "hereby revoked".
The order, signed by Principal Secretary Reeta Harish Thakkar, stated that the revocation was issued with reference to a May 12 note from the Chief Minister's Office and an earlier government order appointing Vettrivel to the post.
By signalling that he would reconsider the appointment during the floor test, Vijay appeared to move quickly to contain the controversy before it spiralled further. The swift correction suggested that Vijay recognised the political sensitivity of the issue and was unwilling to let his first major decision in office turn into a lasting misstep.
Actor C Joseph Vijay's political journey has so far carried the momentum of a blockbuster. But within days of becoming the CM of Tamil Nadu, an unusual appointment emerged as Vijay's first misstep, handing the opposition an early opportunity to target the TVK-led coalition government. On Wednesday, the Vijay-led government rushed to correct it.
Vijay appointed his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister. A government order issued on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Vijay's astrologer as his OSD, effective from the date of joining.
However a day after the order, the TVK government revoked Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel's appointment as the OSD to CM Vijay.
An OSD is a nominal administrative post created to manage specific assignments, high-priority projects, or sensitive responsibilities within the government. Politicians appoint senior bureaucrats, specialists, or trusted advisors as OSD. The position receives its remuneration through taxpayers' money, and this became the vital reason for criticism of Vijay's decision.
While CM Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), supported by several parties, passed the floor test on Wednesday, some of his coalition partners too have slammed him over the appointment of his personal astrologer as an OSD.
The allies of the TVK government, including the Congress, VCK, CPI, and CPI(M), had criticised the move, calling for the promotion of scientific temper. The leaders of these parties had highlighted some of Pandit's earlier comments, like "mantras treating heart attacks".
VIJAY FACES FLAK FROM COALITION PARTNERS OVER OSD PICK
Vijay's decision to appoint his personal astrologer as an adviser to the Chief Minister is one of the rarest cases in India. The decision triggered sharp criticism from coalition partners who aligned with Vijay's TVK in forming the government. Leaders from the Congress, VCK, and Left parties questioned the move, arguing that it goes against Tamil Nadu's long-standing rationalist and secular political traditions.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the necessity of the appointment of the astrologer as the OSD. "Why would an astrologer require an OSD position?" Senthil posted on X, sharing the government order of the appointment on Tuesday.
Congress MP Jothimani urged Vijay to reconsider the decision, warning that it could undermine the ideological foundations that the TVK claims to uphold.
"The honourable CM Vijay should reconsider the appointment of his astrologer as Officer on Special Duty in a government led by the TVK, which claims Periyar as its ideological leader," Jothimani posted on X. The Karur MP also pointed out that the TVK projects Periyar as its ideological inspiration and advised CM Vijay to avoid such controversies early in his tenure.
The criticism was even sharper from the VCK and Left parties. VCK General Secretary D Ravikumar termed the appointment "unacceptable in a secular government" and urged Vijay to withdraw the decision immediately.
On Wednesday, during the crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, VCK MLA Vanni Arasu criticised Vijay for his astrologer appointment decision. "Our government should give importance to scientific thinking and not astrology," Arasu said ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly confidence motion.
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the government had a responsibility to promote "scientific temper and rational thinking", arguing that appointing an astrologer to an official government role at public expense would only encourage superstition. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian raised similar concerns. The backlash has also revived comparisons with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's reported reliance on astrologers.
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram also took a swipe at the appointment with a cryptic "Caligula–Incitatus" reference, comparing it to the Roman emperor who allegedly appointed his horse to a government post.
BEFORE VIJAY, JAYALALITHAA USED RADHAN PANDIT'S SERVICES
Radhan Pandit is a well-known astrologer, numerologist, and spiritual advisor from Tamil Nadu. Pandit has spent more than four decades practising Vedic astrology.
Pandit is also a spokesperson of the TVK and is considered one of Vijay's close personal advisors. He had predicted Vijay would achieve "a tsunami victory" in the Tamil Nadu polls.
While the Assembly poll results were being counted on May 4, Pandit rushed to Vijay's residence in Chennai. This interaction quickly drew attention on social media. Images and reports of the meeting, which included the exchange of bouquets and greetings, went viral.
Pandit reportedly began his career in South India under the name "Pandit Vettrivel". In 2008, he moved to Delhi and adopted the more North Indian-sounding name Rickey Radhan Pandit as he expanded his clientele nationally and internationally.
Pandit guides politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, and celebrities through personalised yearly predictions.
Before his association with Vijay, Pandit was also linked to former CM and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa during the late 1980s and 1990s, according to reports. Pandit claims that he had predicted Jayalalithaa's 1991 electoral victory and advised changes linked to her public image, including the addition of an extra "A" in her name. Jayalalithaa, who is also believed to be a staunch believer in astrology, parted ways with Pandit reportedly after some predictions failed to materialise.
Radhan Pandit has also played an active political role as a spokesperson for TVK, frequently appearing in media debates and offering commentary that blends astrology with political analysis.
Radhan Pandit's association with Vijay has amplified his public profile. His appointment as the OSD to the CM made Pandit a social media sensation and also attracted criticism.
VIJAY RUSHED TO CORRECT HIS FIRST MISSTEP AS TAMIL NADU CM
Facing massive backlash, Vijay on Wednesday said he would reconsider his decision of appointing his astrologer as the OSD to the CM.
After the floor test, the TVK backed Pandit's appointment as the OSD to CM Vijay. "Pandit is our media spokesperson, and that's why we appointed him to the government post," TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar told India Today TV. "Being an astrologer is Pandit's personal life, and anybody can be appointed as the OSD to the CM," Kumar added.
However, amid massive criticism from the alliance partners and the rivals, the TVK government revoked Pandit's appointment as an OSD to the Chief Minister's office.
In an office proceeding issued on May 13, the Tamil Nadu government's Public Department said the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was "hereby revoked".
The order, signed by Principal Secretary Reeta Harish Thakkar, stated that the revocation was issued with reference to a May 12 note from the Chief Minister's Office and an earlier government order appointing Vettrivel to the post.
By signalling that he would reconsider the appointment during the floor test, Vijay appeared to move quickly to contain the controversy before it spiralled further. The swift correction suggested that Vijay recognised the political sensitivity of the issue and was unwilling to let his first major decision in office turn into a lasting misstep.
