Tamil Nadu Government on Wednesday revoked an order appointing astrologer of Chief Minister Vijay as his OSD – Officer on Special Duty. The decision has been reportedly taken after public outrage and attack by opposition and allies.
The development came just a day after Vettrivel was appointed as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Minister’s department. The appointment order was issued based on a note from the Chief Minister’s Office dated May 12.
The decision triggered a major political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with parties such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI(M) and CPI, key supporters of the TVK government, openly criticising the move.
Ahead of the floor test in the assembly, VCK MLA Vaani Arsu called upon the government to focus and promote scientific and rational thinking and avoid practices widely regarded as superstition.
“Our government should give importance to scientific thinking and not astrology,” he said.
The renowned astrologer was the one who precited Vijay’s win and his political rise in 2024.
Rickey Radhan Pandit is widely regarded in political circles as an astrologer close to C Joseph Vijay and has reportedly accompanied the him at several major political and personal events in recent years.
Vijay took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10.
Who is Radhan Pandit ?
With nearly four decades of expertise in Vedic astrology, numerology, and meditation-based counselling, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel is regarded as one of India’s most prominent celebrity and political astrologers.
According to media reports, his clients includes politicians from major parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Radhan Pandit’s connection to Vijay
Radhan Pandit Vettrivel has been one of the most vocal supporters of Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Way before Tamil Nadu elections, he had described Vijay’s horoscope as possessing exceptional “tsunami-like” potential for political success.
Radhan also predicted that Vijay would become chief minister by securing more than 150 seats in the state and claimed that Tamil Nadu’s temples would attain world-class stature under his leadership.
In 2024, he had released a detailed YouTube video explaining why Vijay was likely to succeed in politics.
TVK won 108 out of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Vijay fell short of a majority, but Congress and the VCK among other parties extended their support, leading to his swearing-in as Chief Minister on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Vijay today ordered the closure of 717 government-run TASMAC liquor retail outlets located within a 500-metre radius of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stations in the state within two weeks, citing public welfare.
