Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Wednesday canceled the appointment of Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, an astrologer, as the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
The decision to withdraw the order comes less than 24 hours after several parties including the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alliance partners objected to his appointment.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth whose party is an ally of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) raised questions over Pandit’s appointment.
“Why was he given such a high government post? The chief minister could have appointed him personal secretary instead of appointing him as director of the security office,” Premalatha said.
Minutes after her comment, Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi MLA Thamimun Ansari also questioned Pandit’s appointment to the top post.
On Tuesday, the Left parties and the VCK, which support the government, expressed their objection to his appointment.
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Meanwhile, a government order on Wednesday said that Pandit’s appointment has been cancelled.
When asked by reporters, TVK Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar said: “He is already our spokesperson. His personal career can be anything. He has been our media person for a long time.”
Shortly after his remarks, the impeachment order came.
Vetrivel, widely known as an astrologer, was appointed to handle political affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office before the government decided to reverse the decision.
No further details about the replacement for the position have been announced, people familiar with the matter said.
Meanwhile, responding to a query regarding the controversial appointment of an official who was earlier described as an astrologer, Minister R Nirmal Kumar clarified that the person in question is the party’s long-time ‘media spokesperson’.
Speaking to reporters outside the rally, Kumar said: “He (Vetrevel) has been a media personality who has been supporting us for a long time. An individual’s personal career can be anything, but his role here is that of a media spokesperson.”
With PTI input
