Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Appoints Astrologer as Political Officer on Special Duty

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay appointed astrologer Radhan Pandit as an Officer on Special Duty (Political) at the state secretariat in Chennai [1, 2].

The appointment signals the influence of personal trust and spiritual guidance in the Chief Minister's inner circle as he begins his administration. By placing a non-traditional advisor in a formal political role, the government may face scrutiny over the nature of the advice shaping state policy.

Radhan Pandit, also referred to as Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel or Radhan Vettrivel, was appointed to the position on the Sunday following the oath ceremony [1, 2, 3]. The Chief Minister said he chose Pandit for the role after the astrologer had previously predicted Vijay's victory in the elections ^[2].

The appointment comes after a period of political transition in the state. Before the oath ceremony, political negotiations lasted for four days ^[3].

Pandit will now operate within the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, where he is tasked with providing political guidance to the Chief Minister [1, 2]. The role of Officer on Special Duty is typically reserved for specialists or trusted aides who provide direct support to high-ranking officials outside the standard bureaucratic chain of command.

This move follows the recent formation of the government, during which the Chief Minister said the assembly is the heart of democracy ^[3]. The appointment of a personal astrologer to a formal government post is a notable addition to the administrative structure in Chennai [1, 2].