Vijay Faces Heat Over Appointment of Astrologer as OSD
Congress, VCK and CPM question Tamil Nadu government’s decision amid secularism debate
- Vijay appoints astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as OSD
- Allies Congress and VCK raise objections to appointment
- CPM calls move “unscientific” and against constitutional spirit
- Appointment sparks fresh controversy after Tamil anthem row
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 12th May: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has landed in a fresh controversy after appointing astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister.
The appointment came just a day after the Tamil Nadu government faced criticism over the anthem sequence during Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony.
Vettrivel, who also serves as a spokesperson of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, is known to be close to Vijay and had reportedly predicted the party’s landslide performance in the Assembly elections.
Allies Raise Objections
The appointment triggered criticism from leaders of parties supporting the TVK-led government.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the need for an astrologer to hold such a government-linked position.
“Why would an astrologer require an OSD position?” he asked in a post on X.
D Ravikumar also objected to the appointment, saying it was “unacceptable in a secular government”.
He urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision and described the move as “unscientific” and against constitutional principles.
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader said appointing an astrologer at government expense could encourage superstition among people.
CPM Also Criticises Move
Senior CPM leader Shanmugam P criticised the appointment and said it went against the duty of the government to promote scientific thinking.
He said giving political advisory responsibilities to an astrologer was unacceptable.
The controversy has intensified political debate in Tamil Nadu, where Dravidian politics has historically projected rationalism and opposition to superstition as core ideological principles.
Astrologer’s Political Connections
Vettrivel has long been associated with political circles in Tamil Nadu and reportedly advised several prominent leaders in the past.
Reports suggest he had once been close to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and was consulted on major political decisions during her tenure.
The TVK formed the government after winning 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly and securing support from the Congress, CPI, CPM and VCK after falling short of the majority mark.
