Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay appointed his personal astrologer, Ricky Radhan Pandit, to senior positions within the Chief Minister’s Office in April 2026 [2, 4].

The move has sparked immediate backlash from political allies and opposition leaders. Critics argue that placing an astrologer in a position of government influence contradicts the long-standing secular and rationalist traditions of Tamil Nadu politics [1, 2].

Pandit was appointed as an Officer on Special Duty and political-wing secretary [1]. Some reports further describe the role as that of a political adviser [1]. The appointment followed shortly after Vijay took the oath of office as Chief Minister [4].

Opposition leaders said the appointment is unacceptable. They contend that the use of astrological guidance in the administration of the state undermines the rationalist foundations that have historically shaped the region's governance [1, 2].

This appointment comes as Vijay transitions from a high-profile career in cinema to the leadership of the state. The inclusion of Pandit in the inner circle of the Chief Minister's Office marks a departure from the standard bureaucratic appointments typically seen in the region [2].

While some supporters view the move as a personal choice by the Chief Minister, the political friction suggests a tension between Vijay's personal beliefs and the ideological expectations of his coalition partners [1].

“Vijay appointed astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit as an Officer on Special Duty and political-wing secretary.”

The controversy highlights a potential ideological clash between the new administration's personal preferences and the deeply ingrained Dravidian political identity of Tamil Nadu, which emphasizes rationalism and the separation of spirituality from state governance.