In a move that has invited ridicule on social media and criticism from allies supporting the TVK government, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has appointed his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as Officer on Special Duty (Political).
Known to be a close aide of the Chief Minister, the astrologer had earlier predicted TVK’s victory in the Assembly elections and Vijay’s rise to the office of Chief Minister. He is also one of the spokespersons of the TVK.
A Government Order appointing Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as OSD (Political) was issued by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Reeta Harish Thakkar. The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes office.
Predictably, the move has triggered criticism online, while the Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, which is extending outside support to the government, have strongly objected to the decision. The Congress is also reportedly unhappy with the appointment.
“Spending taxpayers’ money on an astrologer as OSD to the Chief Minister is a violation of constitutional principles. The Chief Minister’s personal preferences should not determine the course of governance. He should reconsider the decision,” said D. Ravikumar, VCK general secretary. He added that “a secular government having an astrologer is antithetical to its principles.”
Opposing the move, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam said an astrologer offering political advice was completely unacceptable and contrary to rational thinking.
“This appointment is regressive and may encourage people to turn towards astrology, which was rejected and criticised by the great Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi,” he said, demanding that the decision be reconsidered immediately.
Social media users reacted with ridicule and derision, noting that this is perhaps the first time an astrologer has been appointed to such a government position. Critics have also questioned Vijay’s and TVK’s commitment to the ideals of rationalist reformer Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, regarded as one of the ideological inspirations of the party.
Born in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, Vettrivel took up astrology as a profession and practised in Mumbai and Delhi. He reportedly had several high-profile clients, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. After correctly predicting her electoral victory in 1991, he became close to her. However, the relationship later soured after one of his predictions reportedly went wrong.
According to reports, he had told Jayalalithaa that she would not go to jail in the disproportionate assets case, but she was later incarcerated. Following that episode, she reportedly stopped consulting him.