Barely a few days after swearing as Tamil Nadu chief minister, and a day ahead of his floor test, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay found himself in the midst of a controversy over the appointment of "an astrologer" as Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel has been a close confidante and advisor of Vijay. Vettrivel, who has been practising astrology for the past decades, had predicted TVK's victory in the polls. While his appointment as OSD did not come as a surprise to those who closely followed the political journey of Vijay, the decision attracted much backlash, especially from people in his own alliance.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the appointment, saying, "Beats me. Why would an astrologer require an OSD position?? Can anyone explain?"
Another Congress MP, Jothimani, said Vijay "should reconsider appointing his astrologer as the Chief Minister’s Special Officer in the government of TVK, which upholds Periyar as its ideological leader. It would be better to avoid getting caught in such controversies as soon as the new government assumes office."
VCK MP called the decision "unacceptable in a secular government," and asked Vijay to reconsider his decision.
CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam pointed out that the move is opposed to the government's duty to foster a scientific outlook. "Ricky Radhan Pandit, who has been announced today as the political wing secretary of the Chief Minister, is fundamentally an astrologer.
Appointing such a person as an officer at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people. "Do not scorn astrology," said Bharathiyar. This appointment by the government is unacceptable!
It is also unacceptable that he will provide political advice," he said in a social media post.
