The Tamil Nadu government has revoked the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, just 24 hours after announcing it. The reversal, on Wednesday, reflected the pressure on the new TVK-led administration.
Vettrivel, an astrologer and TVK spokesperson, had reportedly advised Vijay during his move from cinema into politics. But placing him in a formal government post drew immediate criticism, with opposition leaders and even allies questioning the choice.
Criticism from across the aisle
The DMK led the objections, with spokesperson TKS Elangovan asking, “What can an astrologer do besides predict?” Allied parties such as the MJK and DMDK also called the move inappropriate for a modern administration. Even the Congress, a key TVK ally, voiced confusion — MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned why an astrologer would need an OSD role, while DMDK MLA Premalatha Vijaykanth suggested Vijay could have appointed him a personal secretary rather than a government officer. The criticism prompted the Chief Minister to act quickly.
A floor-test win
Despite the episode, Vijay passed a floor test in the Assembly on Wednesday with the support of 144 MLAs, confirming his position as leader of the single-largest party, which holds 108 seats of its own. The session was tense, with Udhayanidhi Stalin again raising his stance on Sanatana Dharma. By withdrawing the appointment, Vijay signalled a willingness to address his allies’ concerns, and the government must now fill the OSD post with a candidate acceptable to the coalition. Vettrivel is expected to remain a close but unofficial confidant.
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