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.
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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