The Government on Wednesday suspended the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, who was vetted to Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday, days after a storm of criticism and controversy erupted across several political parties.
Vettrivel was an Officer on Special Duty (Political) which had assumed some significance in the Chief Minister’s office. Soon there were a number of criticisms to his appointment from opposition parties and political buddies, who began to ask how an astrologer ever became such an influential position in the administration.
The TKS Elangavan-led Dravidan Munnetra Kazhagam expressed concern over the move saying that astrology has no place in the governance or political machinery. “What is it that an astrologer does?” He made the comment when replying to the news of the appointment, “Anything. I can predict that that is all,” are his few words, according to reports. Opposition was also expressed by allies of the ruling alliance such as Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, which called for a re-think of the decision.
Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel is one of the well known personalities of Tamilnadu’s political and Public life and it is believed that he has given some guidance to many notable leaders over the last four decades or so. He also has an active social media presence, where he shares his insights and predictions about astrology. He has been routinely associated with meetings with former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on key political issues and decisions.