The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday canceled the appointment of astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. This development came just one day after the mine was appointed to the main position.
Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, who is believed to have played a major role in Vijay’s political journey, has been given the role of an officer on special duty for the Prime Minister (politician).
His appointment to such an important post has sparked a huge controversy, with the DMK criticizing the move. “What can an astrologer do? He can predict, that’s all,” said company spokesman TKS Elangovan. DMK allies Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) also criticized the appointment.
Who is the astrologer Vetrivel?
Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel is an important name among political circles. Many leaders are said to have consulted him regarding his predictions with which he has been associated for nearly four decades.
Vettrivel also shares astrological tips across social media platforms in Tamil Nadu. Political observers believe that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa also spoke to him regarding the decisions.
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Apart from his astrologer role, Vetrivel is also the spokesperson for TVK and has long-standing close ties with Chief Minister Vijay. The TVK party won a stunning victory in the recent assembly elections, winning 108 seats. In another big move for the party, Vijay also won the floor test on Wednesday with the support of 144 MLAs.
Backlash to the main role of the astrologer
An official letter from Vijay’s office on Tuesday read: “Theru Rekhi Radhan Pandit Vetrivel has been appointed as Officer on Special Service (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political) with effect from the date of joining. Terms and conditions in this regard will be issued separately.”
The development quickly sparked backlash, with the matter also reaching the Tamil Nadu Assembly this morning. DMK ally Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam MLA Premalatha Vijaykanth raised questions over the astrologer’s appointment, saying Vijay could have instead appointed him as personal secretary.
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A Congress leader also criticized the move, despite the party being a major ally of TVK in Tamil Nadu. Congress member Sasikanth Senthil wrote on
