Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay revoked the appointment of an astrologer as Officer on Special Duty on May 13, 2026 [2].
The decision follows a swift wave of criticism from political opponents and coalition partners who objected to the inclusion of a spiritual advisor within the official state administration. This reversal highlights the tension between the Chief Minister's personal associations and the expectations of secular governance in the region.
The appointee, identified in reports as Radhan Pandit or Rickey Vettrivel, had been named to the position shortly before the revocation was announced [1], [3]. The administration acted to withdraw the appointment within 24 hours of the initial announcement [1].
Opposition parties and coalition allies raised objections to the appointment, arguing that the role of Officer on Special Duty should be reserved for administrative or policy experts, rather than astrologers [2], [4]. The backlash was described as massive, forcing the Chief Minister's office to pivot quickly to avoid further political instability [1], [2].
While some reports identify the individual as Radhan Pandit, others refer to him as Rickey Vettrivel [3], [5]. Despite the naming discrepancies, the outcome remained consistent across reports: the appointment was deemed politically untenable. The move to remove the advisor suggests a priority to maintain the support of the governing coalition over the Chief Minister's personal preferences.
No official statement was provided regarding whether the individual will be appointed to a non-governmental advisory role instead. The revocation marks one of the first significant administrative corrections for the Chief Minister's office since the appointment was first publicized [2], [4].
“Chief Minister Vijay revoked the appointment of an astrologer as Officer on Special Duty”
This incident underscores the delicate balance Tamil Nadu's leadership must maintain between personal beliefs and the secular requirements of public office. By reversing the appointment within a day, the Chief Minister's office demonstrated a sensitivity to coalition dynamics and the risk of alienating allies and opposition parties over non-administrative appointments.
