The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday revoked the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay following widespread criticism from opposition parties and even some allies of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The decision came less than 24 hours after the appointment order was issued.
An official order released by the Principal Secretary to the Government confirmed that the appointment had been cancelled with immediate effect.
“The order issued regarding the appointment of Thiru Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister is hereby revoked,” the notification stated.
The rapid reversal highlighted the political controversy triggered by the appointment of an astrologer to a senior administrative and political role within the Chief Minister’s Office.
Opposition attacks govt over astrologer appointment
The appointment became a major talking point in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with opposition leaders strongly criticising the move during House proceedings.
DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth condemned the decision and questioned the government’s judgment in assigning an astrologer to an important political post.
Leaders from other opposition parties and DMK allies also criticised the appointment, arguing that astrology should not influence government administration.
MJK president and MLA Thamimun Ansari said personal beliefs were separate from governance and should not become part of official decision-making.
Similarly, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson TKS Elangovan mocked the appointment, saying an astrologer could only make predictions and would still require proper administrative advisors familiar with government procedures and rules.
Rickey Radhan Pandit known as TVK spokesperson
Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel has been associated with the TVK leadership and was active during the party’s election campaign.
Apart from being known as an astrologer, he also functioned as a spokesperson for the party and was considered close to sections of the leadership.
Following Vijay’s swearing-in as chief minister, he was appointed as OSD to handle political affairs linked to the Chief Minister’s Office.
However, the appointment quickly drew criticism across the political spectrum and became politically sensitive for the newly formed government.
AIADMK and DMK leaders target Vijay govt
The controversy also provided ammunition to opposition parties, with leaders taking sharp digs at the ruling TVK.
IS Inbadurai mocked the astrologer’s removal in a post on X, saying the astrologer “failed to predict his own fate.”
Opposition parties used the issue to question the functioning of the Vijay-led administration, which recently secured a comfortable trust vote in the Assembly.
TVK govt seeks to contain political damage
The revocation comes at a crucial time for the TVK government, which is still consolidating support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The government had earlier passed the floor test with support from alliance partners and rebel AIADMK MLAs, securing 144 votes in favour.
However, the astrologer appointment controversy briefly overshadowed the government’s political momentum and triggered criticism from both opposition parties and allies.
Officials said no replacement for the OSD post has been announced yet.
(With inputs from Agencies)