Tamil Nadu Government Revokes Astrologer OSD Appointment After Political Backlash
C. Joseph Vijay has revoked the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Minister’s department following criticism from alliance partners and opposition parties. The Tamil Nadu astrologer OSD appointment controversy triggered strong political reactions within a day of the announcement.
The latest update has intensified debate around governance, rationalism and political messaging in Tamil Nadu, where parties across ideological lines questioned the government’s decision to appoint an astrologer to an official administrative role.
Tamil Nadu Astrologer OSD Appointment Sparks Criticism
The controversy began after Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel was appointed as an OSD attached to the Chief Minister’s office. The move immediately drew objections from supporting parties including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
Leaders from these parties argued that the government should promote scientific temper and rational thinking rather than encouraging practices associated with superstition. The issue quickly became a major political discussion ahead of the assembly floor test.
VCK MLA Vaani Arasu publicly urged the government to focus on scientific reasoning. Left party leaders also issued statements questioning the official appointment and the use of public resources for such a role.
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Alliance Partners Raise Concerns Over Government Decision
CPIM state secretary P Shanmugam stated that governments have a responsibility to encourage rational thought and scientific outlook. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian echoed similar concerns regarding the appointment.
The incident details also revived comparisons with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who had previously faced public discussion over reported reliance on astrologers during her tenure.
Meanwhile, Premalatha Vijayakanth criticised the move and questioned the message being sent to young voters. She argued that personal spiritual beliefs should remain private and not become part of official government administration.
Vijay Signals Reconsideration Before Revoking Appointment
As criticism intensified, Chief Minister Vijay indicated that the appointment could be reconsidered. Following the floor test proceedings, he reportedly acknowledged concerns raised by political allies and opposition leaders.
Soon after the statement, the Tamil Nadu government formally cancelled the appointment of Vettrivel as OSD. No separate official statement explaining the revocation process was immediately issued.
Although alliance parties did not withdraw support from the government, the controversy created visible political discomfort within the ruling coalition. The latest update suggests the administration moved quickly to contain the issue before it escalated further.
Political Debate Continues Over Rationalism and Governance
Tamil Nadu politics has historically remained closely associated with Dravidian ideology and public emphasis on rationalism and social reform. The Tamil Nadu astrologer OSD appointment controversy reopened debates around governance, symbolism and political accountability.
The incident details continue to draw attention across political circles as parties discuss the balance between personal belief systems and official administrative responsibilities. The government’s decision to revoke the appointment has now become a significant political talking point in the state.