CHENNAI: TVK government withdraws its GO within 24 hours buckling under opposition from opposition mainly left arises its efficiency in facing challenges in future. Whether it would do the same or resist with reasons ask public.
Bowing to strong opposition to the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel who was appointed to the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD)-political to the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Joseph Vijay has come under spotlight as an RTI application has been filed seeking details about the OSD credentials.
Tamil Nadu government has appointed Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political). The order was issued by the Public Department, and the appointment will take effect from the date of joining. pic.twitter.com/p5ijLJFCo1
— IANS (@ians_india) May 12, 2026
In a related development, a writ of quo warranto is issued to require a person holding a public office to show the legal authority under which they occupy that office. The petitioner, R Rathi, a practising advocate argued, “The appointment has been made as a reward for his astrological contribution, which is highly illegal, without the authority of law, unconstitutional. alleged that the appointment was made without inviting applications, without framing service rules, without issuing any recruitment notification and without conducting any selection process.According to the plea, such an appointment violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment.”
A summer vacation Bench of Justices L. Victoria Gowri, N.Senthilkumar of Madras High Court has agreed to hear tomorrow a writ petition to be filed today challenging the appointment of Rickey Pandit Vetrivel as the Officer on Special Duty (Political) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
A government order (G.O) appointing was issued on May 12. In that the public department stated that the terms and conditions of his appointment would be issued separately. According to his website, Vettrivel has over four decades of experience in astrology and meditation and had advised former CM J Jayalalithaa on legal strategies during the 1990s. He also had advised Jayalalitha to add a second ‘a’ at the end of her name and helped her in finalising the Jaya TV logo, the website said. The website also carries controversial claims, such as that he could guide people on how to overcome diseases through astrology.
But his appointment as OSD political evoked strong opposition from left parties that are supporting his government from outside. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam criticised the move, said “appointing an astrologer to an official post at public expense is inappropriate and likely to encourage superstitious beliefs among the people”.
In a statement, the CPI said the move was surprising as the TVK had projected secularism and social justice as its core principles. Veerapandian said Vijay was free to follow his personal spiritual beliefs in his private life. Both said that governments had a duty to encourage rationalist values and scientific temper.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan took a jibe at the appointment, saying that all an astrologer can do is make predictions. He noted that Vettrivel will need an advisor as per the rules and government powers. He said “ “Hereafter, the Parliament Assembly has no role to play. Only the timing will be given by the astrologers. He is not an official. He needs somebody who can advise him properly as per the rules and as per the government powers. What can an astrologer do? He can predict, that’s all. He has more faith in him than his party”.
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) president and MLA Thamimun Ansari, who contested on DMK’s Rising Sun symbol, said, “Do not include astrology formulas in the government, mainly if they believe personally its upto them, no issue, but it should not come in government.”
DMDK General Secretary and MLA Premalatha Vijayakanth said while speaking in the floor of the Assembly , “The appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit as OSD to the Chief Minister is condemnable. If he is your Rajaguru, keep it personal. But giving him a high government post is not acceptable. Many youngsters have voted for you. What example are you setting for them?”.
In his speech in the assembly, VCK MLA Vanni Arasu, whose party extended support to the TVK government, urged the state to enact a law, on the lines of legislations in Maharashtra and Karnataka, to curb and punish those who allegedly exploit people through superstitious practices. He had also issued a statement opposing the appointment on Tuesday.
An order issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government on May 13 read, ” The order issued regarding the appointment of Thiru. Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special duty (OSD) to Chief Minister is hereby revoked”.
Appointment of Radhan Pandit as OSD revoked. https://t.co/VfED9VKWwi pic.twitter.com/IYVxjCBSVH
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) May 13, 2026
Earlier, TVK minister CTR Nirmal Kumar defended his appointment. He told media persons “ On the appointment of TVK spokesperson Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as OSD to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, TVK Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar says, “He is our media person. He is already a media spokesperson. Anyone can have their own profession. But he has been our media spokesperson for a long time. He has been in the media supporting us. Their personal profession can be anything, but he’s our media person.”
https://twittercom/ANI/status/2054457882138267836?s=20
Critics argue “if an actor can become CM, ministers why not an astrologer. In previous DMK govt. pro party men like Dindugal Leoni, Su.ba Veerapandian, S. Abdul Hameed known by his pen name Manushya Puthiran and others in governmental bodies equivalent to ministerial cadre. How cine lyrist Vairamuthu, who made disparaging comments on saint Andal, was appointed poet laureate? If that okay for DMK govt. then it should accept TVK’s appointment. DMK first family is known consulting a team of astrologers and doing parikarams by visiting temples across the country . They can’t question others first setting their house in order”.
