The TVK government on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, revoked the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, barely a day after the controversial appointment was announced.
The sudden reversal came after sharp criticism erupted from allies and political leaders, including members of the Congress, CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), who questioned the appointment of an astrologer to a key government position in a regime that claims adherence to secular and rationalist principles.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil publicly criticised the move, asking why an astrologer required an official government position. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the appointment directly contradicted the constitutional responsibility of governments to promote rational and scientific thinking among citizens.
He argued that appointing an astrologer at government expense would only strengthen public belief in astrology and superstition. “This appointment by the government is unacceptable. It is also unacceptable that this individual will provide political advice,” he said.
VCK general secretary D Ravikumar also objected to the decision, stating that such an appointment was “unacceptable in a secular government” and urging the Chief Minister to reconsider it.
The controversy gained additional attention because Rickey Radhan Pandit had reportedly predicted Vijay’s electoral victory nearly a year ago and has been seen alongside the actor-turned-politician during several political and personal events in recent years.
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On 13 May 2026, recently sworn-in Chief Minsiter of Tamil Nadu, Joseph Vijay faced the floor test and proved majority with 144 votes. But once he gained the majority confidence, his ‘minority’ face came to the fore.
Speaking to the Assembly after the vote, Vijay said, “We received 34.92% votes that translate to 1.72 crore votes of the public. They sent us to the Assembly as the single largest party. Within 3 years of forming the party, we have missed forming a majority government by hair’s breadth. So, if anyone considers this as a minority government, we are happy about it. We ourselves are saying, this is a minority government. A government that genuinely upholds the protection of minority communities.”
This comes after Udhayanidhi Stalin made his first speech of the 2026 Assembly where he once again called for eradication of Sanatana Dharma, while Vijay was looking on and nodding.
On 12 May 2026, leader of opposition and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin once again triggered controversy after reiterating remarks against Sanatana Dharma during his speech in the Assembly, while Chief Minister Joseph Vijay was looking on in the House.
Concluding his speech in the Assembly after the recently concluded TN 2026 elections, he said, “I once again extend my congratulations to the new government, which has been formed with the support of the alliance legislators who contested the election under the leadership of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and won, and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister. My thanks also to the Hon’ble Speaker of the Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. May your work be successful. I once again convey my greetings. Thank you, greetings.”
He continued, “Victory to Tamil. Long live Tamil Nadu. Sanatanam, which divides the people, must certainly be eradicated. Thank you, greetings.”
In addition, during his oath taking ceremony, when he spoke to the public after the oath, he said, “Our uncompromising fundamental principle is equality for all births and all living beings. My minority brothers and sisters, the TVK government will stand firmly with you. You need not have any doubts about that.”
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Senior Advocate Vijay Narayan is set to return as Advocate General of Tamil Nadu under the newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, as reported in Bar and Bench. While Narayan is a highly experienced constitutional lawyer who previously served as Advocate General between 2017 and 2021, his reported appointment has already triggered debate in legal and political circles over possible ethical concerns and perceptions of conflict of interest.
The concerns stem primarily from Narayan’s prior role as personal counsel for Chief Minister Vijay in several legal matters, including the actor’s high-profile 2021 luxury car tax dispute before the Madras High Court. In that case, the High Court had imposed a ₹1 lakh cost while making sharp observations regarding tax exemptions sought by wealthy individuals.
Elevating a lawyer who recently represented Vijay in his personal capacity to the State’s highest law office could create questions about institutional independence, especially because the Advocate General is expected to function not merely as the government’s lawyer but also as a constitutional authority advising the State on legality, governance and public interest matters.
Yes, there is no explicit constitutional prohibition preventing a former personal lawyer from becoming Advocate General, senior advocates and private counsels frequently go on to hold constitutional posts after changes in government. However, the issue in this instance is being framed around perception, proximity and possible overlap between personal loyalty and constitutional responsibility.
Questions are also likely to arise over whether Narayan may need to recuse himself from matters involving Vijay’s past personal legal disputes, financial interests or cases connected to entities and individuals closely associated with the Chief Minister. Any future litigation involving decisions taken during Vijay’s tenure could invite scrutiny over whether the State’s top law officer can maintain sufficient professional distance from a former client who is now also the political executive head of government.
The proposed appointment as potentially reinforcing perceptions of political cronyism, arguing that the office of Advocate General should avoid even the appearance of favouritism or quid pro quo arrangements. The fact that Narayan is being appointed immediately after representing Vijay in politically sensitive litigation has intensified such criticism online.
Actor Vijay’s private lawyer Vijay Narayan
– who fought his 2021 luxury car tax evasion case
– got slapped with a ₹1 lakh fine by the Madras HC
is now set to become the Advocate General of Vijay’s Government.
Narayan comes from a distinguished legal family and has long-standing standing at the Bar. He is the nephew of former Attorney General KK Venugopal, grandson of eminent lawyer MK Nambiar, and grandson of Constituent Assembly member Sardar KM Panikkar. He was designated Senior Advocate in 2004 and has handled several major constitutional and commercial disputes over the years.
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KV Kuppam TVK MLA E. Thendral Kumar’s recent public remarks portraying himself as a man of extreme simplicity have triggered scrutiny after his own election affidavit revealed declared assets worth ₹2.75 crore, leading to questions over contradictions between his political image and financial disclosures.
In a widely circulated media interaction outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the Kilvaithinankuppam MLA repeatedly projected himself as someone living a modest and almost ascetic lifestyle. “Truly, I don’t own a vehicle, I don’t have a car. So, I travel only by the bus called the MLA special,” Thendral Kumar said during the interview. He also claimed that even while returning to the Assembly, he depended only on government buses and rented cabs.
The MLA further described himself as a person satisfied with minimal comforts. “If I have three idlis and one vadai in the morning, food at noon, and good sleep at night, I consider that the greatest wealth,” he said, calling his lifestyle an “ascetic life” dedicated to the people of KV Kuppam. He also explained that he had stopped wearing footwear while visiting residents in his constituency as a mark of respect towards villagers and elders.
What our Anna @TVKVijayHQ has been doing is truly inspiring. ❤️🙏
An TVK MLA who comes from a simple family with no car of his own is now travelling in the MLA special bus, carrying the hopes of the people with him. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/AJzt6YOpiK
However, Thendral Kumar’s own election affidavit, filed before the Election Commission and available through ADR’s MyNeta platform, presents a significantly different financial picture. According to the affidavit, the MLA declared total assets worth ₹2,75,73,409, including movable assets of around ₹2.10 crore and immovable assets worth ₹65.5 lakh.
The disclosures include ₹9 lakh cash in hand, ₹8 lakh held by his spouse, bank deposits, gold and silver jewellery, agricultural land, residential properties and business interests linked to VT Traders and Lakshmi Construction. The affidavit also lists a Royal Enfield Classic 350 motorcycle valued at ₹2 lakh.
The contrast has now triggered sharp criticism over what opponents describe as a carefully staged “poor MLA” image. While Thendral Kumar’s affidavit does not show ownership of a car, meaning his specific claim cannot be called false on record, the larger portrayal of living with very limited means sits uneasily with declared assets of ₹2.75 crore, business interests, cash holdings, jewellery and multiple properties.
The interview itself appeared designed to reinforce that image. The reporter repeatedly highlighted how other MLAs arrive in expensive cars while Thendral Kumar alone travelled by government bus and without footwear. Responding to that comparison, the MLA projected himself as a humble man from an ordinary background and credited Chief Minister Vijay for uplifting “simple children and huts into towers.”
The optics of bus travel, barefoot appearances and “ascetic life” remarks are now being used to create an emotional narrative of hardship and sacrifice that does not match the financial disclosures made in his own election affidavit.
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On 12 May 2026, leader of opposition and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin once again triggered controversy after reiterating remarks against Sanatana Dharma during his speech in the Assembly, while Chief Minister Joseph Vijay was looking on in the House.
Concluding his speech in the Assembly, he said, “I once again extend my congratulations to the new government, which has been formed with the support of the alliance legislators who contested the election under the leadership of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and won, and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister. My thanks also to the Hon’ble Speaker of the Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. May your work be successful. I once again convey my greetings. Thank you, greetings.”
He continued, “Victory to Tamil. Long live Tamil Nadu. Sanatanam, which divides the people, must certainly be eradicated. Thank you, greetings.”
CM VIJAY LOOKS ON AS UDAYANIDHI STALIN SAYS:
“SANATANA MUST BE ERADICATED.”
Interesting to see whether TN CM responds at any point criticizing the LoP for hurting Sanatani sentiments. pic.twitter.com/XL3PjfZ57I
Following this, a fresh legal push is being mounted against Udhayanidhi Stalin, with an application set to be filed before the Supreme Court seeking to place on record his latest remarks, amid a pending contempt petition listed for hearing on May 19, 2026. The move comes in the backdrop of earlier judicial proceedings arising from his 2023 Sanatana Dharma remarks, which had triggered multiple legal challenges and sharp political reactions.
According to the petitioners, a contempt petition against Udhayanidhi Stalin is already pending before the Supreme Court, and they now intend to bring his recent Assembly speech to the court’s notice as additional material in the matter. They argue that the latest statement assumes significance because it was made after the Supreme Court’s 4 March 2024 proceedings concerning his earlier remarks, during which the court dealt with the broader controversy and passed orders related to the registration of further FIRs.
The petitioners contend that Udhayanidhi Stalin repeated substantially the same objectionable remarks inside the Assembly despite the controversy already being under judicial scrutiny. They further allege that the statement was made under the protection of legislative privilege available to members inside the House under Article 194(2), and that this conduct should be examined by the apex court in the context of the pending contempt proceedings.
Sir,
Contempt Petition against @Udhaystalin is already filed and pending in the Supreme Court for hearing on 19.05.2026.
The Supreme Court had on 04.03.2024 strongly reprimanded him for his hate speech against Sanatana Dharma, and also passed orders that no further FIRs will be… https://t.co/am6R7DnXmNpic.twitter.com/kYWRHsoEMv
— Amita Sachdeva, Advocate (@SachdevaAmita) May 12, 2026
Fresh controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu politics after Congress leader and former Velachery MLA JMH Aassan Maulaana publicly backed remarks made by DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin against Sanatana Dharma during the Assembly session on 12 May 2026.
Speaking to the press, Maulaana said, “Edappadi is out, that means Narendra Modi is out, that means Sanatana Dharma in Tamil Nadu is already out. It will not prosper in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is far ahead of all these things. In the name of religion, I do not think one can speak like that in Tamil Nadu. What the honourable former Deputy Chief Minister said is also right. And Tamil Nadu will not accept Sanatan Dharma anytime soon. That is for sure.”
“NDA is out in Tamil Nadu which means Sanatan is already out.
During his speech in the Assembly following the conclusion of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “I once again extend my congratulations to the new government, which has been formed with the support of the alliance legislators who contested the election under the leadership of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and won, and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister. My thanks also to the Hon’ble Speaker of the Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. May your work be successful. I once again convey my greetings. Thank you, greetings.”
He then added, “Victory to Tamil. Long live Tamil Nadu. Sanatanam, which divides the people, must certainly be eradicated. Thank you, greetings.”
The remarks immediately reignited debate surrounding Udhayanidhi’s earlier anti-Sanatana Dharma comments, which had previously drawn criticism from political parties, Hindu organisations and religious groups across the country.
It is noteworthy that Congress is not in the DMK alliance and yet they seem to be united in their hate for Sanatana Dharma. JMH Aassan Maulaana openly defending and endorsing the DMK scions’s statement explains Congress’ and DMK’s hatred fo Hindus.
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TVK MLA M. Ravishankar was elected Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 12 May 2026, with the development reported by Tamil media and Assembly-related coverage. Soon after, an image circulated online claiming to show Ravishankar seated in a TASMAC or bar-like setting, prompting sharp criticism from political opponents and social media users.
எந்த நேரமும் Tasmac ல் குடி இருக்கும் நல்ல உள்ளத்துக்கு சட்டமன்றத்தில் துணை சபாநாயகர் பதவி (மாற்றம்)🔥 pic.twitter.com/YLxsLEojvd
Joseph Vijay’s TVK promised change and begged the public for a chance at governance. But the elected MLAs turn out to be having criminal cases against them or are crorepatis.
In this case, the Deputy Speaker is a very respectable position and for a person whose alleged photo seems to depict him drunk in a TASMAC bar, is telling.
Netizens accused the ruling TVK ecosystem of promoting individuals lacking administrative capability into important constitutional positions.
சில நாட்கள் முன் தவெக புதிய துணை சபாநாயகர் அமர்ந்து இருந்த சேர் இது. இப்போது மாநிலத்தின் சட்டமன்றத்தில் சபாநாயகர் சேர் இவருக்கு.
பரவால எவன் என்னனு பார்க்கமல் ஓட்டு போட்டு தள்ளிருக்கானுக – Gen Z தலைமுறை இல்லை இது insta ஜாம்பி தலைமுறை.
A curious political pattern is once again fuelling conversation in Tamil Nadu politics and this time, the spotlight is not just on alliances or support letters, but on sofas.
Days after a brand-new sofa set being unloaded at the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi headquarters became symbolic of a possible understanding with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, another sofa-related episode has now emerged – this time at the residence of CV Shanmugam.
The development comes shortly after the Shanmugam-S. P. Velumani faction extended support to the ruling TVK coalition and expressed willingness to align with Joseph Vijay politically. Following the announcement, visuals reportedly surfaced showing a new sofa set being delivered to C.V. Shanmugam’s residence, immediately triggering comparisons with the earlier VCK episode.
On 9 May 2026, television reporters covering political developments outside the VCK office had focused unusually on a newly delivered sofa set inside the premises. Anchors openly speculated that the arrangements were being made ahead of a possible meeting between VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan and Vijay. The sofa itself became a talking point, with commentators joking that it was “sending a message” even before any official announcement was made.
Shortly afterwards, VCK extended support.
Now, after support has emerged from the Shanmugam-Velumani faction, another sofa arrives – this time at C.V. Shanmugam’s house.
Another sofa, this time to CVS residence.
Why suddenly???
Last time we saw sofa getting delivered to VCK office and the support letter was given.
Now after extending the support a sofa is getting delivered to CVS house.
— Vasanth Lakshman (@VasanthLakshman) May 12, 2026
The coincidence has sparked commentary online, with many asking the same question: why does a new sofa suddenly appear wherever a possible Vijay political meeting is expected?
Is this merely a routine furniture replacement being overanalysed by political observers? Or has the “sofa arrival” itself become a new visual signal in Tamil Nadu’s rapidly evolving alliance politics?
Social media users are now asking whether Vijay is so particular or posh that fresh seating arrangements are needed before every political interaction. Is it a symbolic marker – a subtle but visible sign that important negotiations or political endorsements are underway behind closed doors?
Whatever the explanation may be, the pattern has undeniably caught public attention. First the VCK office. Now the residence of C.V. Shanmugam.
Thooya Sakthi’s image seems to have taken a hit within just two days.
Will Congress reconsider its position in the #TVK Vijay alliance, given that several former AIADMK ministers who extended support to TVK were previously aligned with BJP-led politics? Though they now claim to… pic.twitter.com/pYMyXnQmcW
— Pearson abraham/பியர்சன் (@pearsonlenekar) May 12, 2026
In both cases, Vijay remains the common political factor and in both cases, a sofa mysteriously turns up just before or after major political developments.
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As more and more reports surface about how Joseph Vijay and his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rose to the level of capturing power within barely 2 years of formation, through the use of social media, internet and socially and psychologically capturing the minds of the public, more evidence keeps turning up about how this is a scam that TVK pulled off.
This was revealed when a UK-based Pakistani handle was seen sharing TN CM Vijay’s video and it was captioned “Actor Vijay Thalapathy issued orders for free electricity as soon as he became the Chief Minister.”
கட்சி ஆரம்பிக்கும் போது likes போட சுமார் 40,000க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பங்களாதேஷ் நாட்டை சார்ந்த தமிழ் என்ற முழினு ஒன்னு இருக்கானு கூட தெரியாதவன் எல்லாம் வச்சு likes , share , comments போட்டு பாருங்க தளபதி சாதனை என்று கிளப்பிவிட்டு Scam பண்ணினானுக – அப்போதே பல ID விவகாரத்தையும்… pic.twitter.com/v9mHnVXJYO
This strengthens the previous allegation against Vijay about engineering the ‘Instagram Million Likes’ scam. In August 2025, an Instagram post by Vijay went viral, reportedly crossing over 10 million likes within a day – an achievement widely circulated by local media and Vijay fans as a record-breaking moment. The post, a selfie video from Vijay’s second state-level TVK conference held in Madurai on 21 August 2025, stood at 12.5 million likes and 262,000 comments a week later, despite Vijay having just 14.1 million followers on the platform.
It stands at 19.5 million likes today with Vijay’s Instagram handle having 17.5 million followers.
The credibility of that viral success raised eyebrows and pointed to manipulated engagement, since the like count surpassed posts by global figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Virat Kohli – this number is highly unusual for a regional political figure.
A closer look at the post’s performance revealed several red flags:
The video saw an engagement spike of over 11.6 million likes in less than 24 hours.
Instagram analytics indicated a 4,392% increase in followers and a 1,013% jump in engagement ratio in just a week.
The number of comments also soared by 2,843%, raising doubts about the authenticity of the interaction.
Such disproportionate growth in engagement especially compared to established global celebrities led many to suspect that the numbers are not organic but likely the result of third-party services, including bots or purchased likes and followers.
Perhaps the most damning evidence lay in the geographical source of the engagement. Data suggested:
Only 1.02% of likes were from Tamil Nadu, the core of Vijay’s fan base.
A significant portion 38% originated from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, where Vijay’s political or film-related influence is minimal.
26% of engagement came from Assam, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, and another 18% from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
Given Tamil Nadu’s population demographics, especially among the Instagram-active youth (ages 20–35), it was highly unlikely for a political post to achieve such traction particularly when most engagement comes from regions with little to no connection to Vijay or his political outfit, TVK.
This isn’t the first time Vijay’s social media strategies have come under scrutiny. In an earlier incident, it was alleged that his team had purchased a Facebook page that previously belonged to a actress fan page to inflate their follower count, presenting an illusion of mass support online.
Social Media Manipulation Repeat?
The August 2025 post could have been another manufactured publicity stunt, estimating that such engagement inflation could cost anywhere between ₹40 to ₹50 lakh, if done through paid engagement platforms. The goal was to project Vijay as a politically powerful figure with mass appeal using numbers that don’t hold up to scrutiny.
What appears to be a viral success on social media could have been a strategic digital façade aimed at inflating political credibility.
Taken together, these instances are once again fuelling allegations that TVK’s digital popularity may have been carefully manufactured rather than entirely organic. What was projected as a massive spontaneous wave of public support increasingly resembles a coordinated perception-management operation built on suspicious engagement spikes, questionable geographical patterns and aggressive social media amplification. Whether these patterns are merely the byproduct of viral politics or evidence of a larger digital manipulation ecosystem remains unanswered, but the questions surrounding TVK’s online rise are clearly not going away.
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In yet another deviation from the principles of his ‘ideological’ leaders, Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay has appointed his personal astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as ‘Officer on Special Duty’ to Chief Minister as of 12 May 2026.
This is not about a private belief. Anyone can believe in astrology. The issue is that an astrologer now occupies an official taxpayer-funded position inside the Chief Minister’s Office.
The government order dated 12 May 2026 makes it official. Radhan Pandit is not merely a supporter, campaign face or social media loyalist anymore. He is now part of the state’s political machinery.
Radhan Pandit’s public identity was built on astrology, numerology and predictions surrounding Vijay’s political rise. He repeatedly spoke about Vijay’s horoscope, numerological destiny and “tsunami victory.” He celebrated the electoral win as proof of prophecy fulfilled.
He even has a YouTube channel with over 8 lakh subscribers
Political OSD is a serious role. So obviously people will question it when the public image around the appointment is more astrology than administration 🤐 pic.twitter.com/egON1I4lpH
For decades, Dravidian politics mocked religion, rituals, astrology and “superstition” in the name of rationalism and scientific temper. Hindu beliefs were ridiculed as backward. Temple culture was treated as irrational mass behaviour.
But when power arrives, the same political class suddenly finds room for astrologers, numerology, auspicious timing and mystical advisers – only now it is rebranded as “strategy.”
Vijay said he will serve the people, he will not touch public money, so he must answer why public money is being used to place a celebrity astrologer inside the Chief Minister’s Office?
And if the defence is that Radhan Pandit is being appointed for “political advice,” that raises an even bigger question: what exactly are his political qualifications beyond astrology-driven popularity and proximity to Vijay?
Government posts are not fan-club rewards. They are not victory gifts for loyalists who predicted electoral success. An OSD position is part of the executive establishment funded by taxpayers.
This appointment reveals something important about the new regime very early. The rhetoric may be about clean politics, change and rational governance. The reality looks far more familiar: loyalists rewarded with state positions, personality cult politics entering government structures, and private belief systems quietly embedded inside public office.
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This is not about a private belief. Anyone can believe in astrology. The issue is that an astrologer now occupies an official taxpayer-funded position inside the Chief Minister’s Office.