Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay appointed his astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister this week [1].
The appointment has sparked a confrontation between the Chief Minister and his coalition partners, who argue that using an astrologer as a political adviser violates governance norms.
Allied parties, including the Congress, said the move is "unacceptable" [2]. The controversy comes one day after a separate dispute regarding the Tamil anthem [3]. This tension follows a period of instability during the government's formation, which included four days of protracted political negotiations before Vijay's oath ceremony [4].
Radhan Pandit Vettrivel brings a background in spiritual and occult sciences to the role. He said, "I have around four decades of experience in numerology, Vedic astrology as well as meditation‑based counseling" [5].
While some reports identify the role specifically as Officer on Special Duty [1], others describe the position as a political adviser [2]. This distinction is central to the friction within the coalition, as partners believe political strategy should be handled by experienced administrators rather than spiritual consultants.
Chief Minister Vijay has previously emphasized the importance of legislative processes in the state. "The assembly is the heart of democracy," Vijay said [2].
The appointment represents a significant test for the current administration's relationship with its allies, as the coalition navigates the early days of Vijay's leadership in Tamil Nadu.
“"Unacceptable," said allies”
The friction over Radhan Pandit's appointment suggests a precarious balance of power within the Tamil Nadu coalition. By appointing a personal spiritual advisor to a formal government role, Chief Minister Vijay is prioritizing personal trust and traditional belief systems over the conventional political expectations of his partners, potentially alienating key allies early in his tenure.
