Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday appointed astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political), days after assuming office following the landmark electoral victory of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The appointment was officially announced through Office Proceedings No. 675 dated May 12, 2026, issued by Reeta Harish Thakkar, Principal Secretary of the Public (Estt IV) Department of the Tamil Nadu government.
The government order stated: “Thiru Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel is appointed as Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister (Political) with effect from the date of joining. The terms and conditions in this regard will be issued separately.”
The OSD position is considered a key role within the Chief Minister’s office, involving political coordination, administrative liaison work, and handling assignments considered sensitive or high priority by the government.
Vettrivel has emerged as a visible figure around Vijay in recent months and was frequently seen accompanying the actor-turned-politician during political rallies and campaign events ahead of the Assembly elections.
Known for his astrological consultations, Vettrivel had publicly predicted nearly a year ago that Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam would come to power in Tamil Nadu. He had also claimed that the party’s name aligned favourably with Vijay’s birth details and forecast a “tsunami victory” for the party in the state elections.
TVK’s sweeping victory this year marked a dramatic shift in Tamil Nadu politics, ending the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in the state’s Assembly politics. Vijay, who formally entered politics after a successful film career, was sworn in as Chief Minister on Sunday.
Sources close to the party said Vettrivel had been advising Vijay on timing-related aspects of major political decisions, including campaign schedules and public events, during the run-up to the elections.
The appointment, however, is likely to trigger political debate, with opposition parties expected to question the inclusion of an astrologer in an influential position within the Chief Minister’s office.
So far, the Tamil Nadu government has not issued any further clarification regarding the specific responsibilities Vettrivel will handle in his role as OSD.
