Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay revoked the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) on Wednesday [1, 2].
The reversal highlights the fragile nature of the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government's political alliances and its sensitivity to early public criticism.
The Tamil Nadu government withdrew the order on May 13, 2026 [1, 2]. The decision occurred less than 24 hours after the appointment was originally announced on Tuesday [3].
According to reports, the move came after a wave of sharp criticism from political opponents and allies of the TVK [3]. The backlash included objections from opposition parties and alliance partners. Specifically, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, a key ally that offered two seats in support of the chief minister [4], objected to the appointment.
Newstodaynet said the revocation took place minutes after the government won the Assembly floor test [5]. The appointment of a personal astrologer to a formal political advisory role had drawn immediate scrutiny from across the political spectrum.
Chief Minister Vijay faced pressure to align his administration's staffing with the expectations of his coalition partners to maintain stability in the state government. The swiftness of the revocation suggests an effort to neutralize a potential political crisis before it could escalate further within the legislative assembly.
“The decision comes less than 24 hours after the appointment was made”
The rapid reversal indicates that Chief Minister Vijay is prioritizing coalition stability over personal appointments. By removing a non-political figure like an astrologer from a formal government role, the TVK administration is signaling a willingness to compromise with allies, such as Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, to ensure the government's survival following its Assembly floor test.
