Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay is facing mounting criticism from allies and political leaders after appointing his astrologer, Ricky Radhan Pandit, as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and political wing secretary in the chief minister’s office. The appointment, made shortly after the TVK government assumed office, has triggered objections over secularism, scientific temper and the role of astrology in governance.Congress, CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leaders publicly questioned the decision, urging Vijay to reconsider the move.Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil criticised the appointment in a post on X, saying: “Beats me. Why would an astrologer require an OSD position ?? Can any one explain.”CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said the decision contradicted the government’s responsibility to promote rational thinking.“It is the government’s duty to foster a scientific outlook. Ricky Radhan Pandit, who has been appointed today as the political wing secretary of the Chief Minister, is fundamentally an astrologer. Appointing such a person as an official at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people,” the MP wrote in his post.“This appointment by the government is unacceptable! It is also unacceptable that this individual will provide political advice,” he added.VCK general secretary D Ravikumar also objected to the appointment as he said, “This is unacceptable in a secular government. The Honourable Chief Minister should reconsider this.”Congress MP from Karur, Jothimani, said the appointment risked undermining the ideological foundations that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) claims to uphold.“The Honorable Chief Minister, Mr. C. Joseph Vijay, should reconsider the appointment of his personal astrologer as the Special Officer to the Chief Minister, a move made by the TVK government, which holds Periyar as its ideological leader. It would be prudent for the new government to avoid becoming embroiled in such controversies immediately after assuming office,” she said.Vijay’s appointed astrologer had predicted his victory a year ago. Rickey Radhan Pandit is widely known in political circles as an astrologer associated with Vijay and has reportedly been seen alongside the actor-turned-politician during key political and personal events in recent years. The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Vijay, whose newly formed government has projected itself as being rooted in social justice and rationalist principles associated with Dravidian politics.
