TVK's CM Vijay appoints astrologer-aide Vettrivel as Political OSD
Synopsis
Just days after taking office, Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay has placed his astrologer-aide and party spokesperson Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel in a formal government role as Political OSD — a move that underscores the new TVK administration's preference for trusted personal associates over conventional bureaucratic appointments.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay appointed Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) to the Chief Minister on 13 May 2025 .
The appointment was formalised through a government order by the Principal Secretary to the Government .
Vettrivel is an astrologer and TVK party spokesperson widely known as part of Vijay's trusted inner circle.
The TVK government assumed office on 10 May 2025 following its victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Opposition parties and observers are closely watching the evolving structure of the Chief Minister's office.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has appointed his close aide, astrologer and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) spokesperson Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) to the Chief Minister, in one of the new government's early administrative moves. The appointment was formalised through a government order issued on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 by the Principal Secretary to the Government.
Key Details of the Appointment
According to the official government order, Vettrivel will function as the political aide to CM Vijay and assist in matters relating to political coordination and advisory functions within the Chief Minister's Office. The order was issued just days after the TVK government assumed office on 10 May 2025, following its victory in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The speed of the appointment signals the new administration's intent to quickly consolidate its political structure, with trusted associates placed in key coordination roles from the outset.
Who Is Vettrivel
Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel is widely recognised in political and media circles as an astrologer with a longstanding close association with CM Vijay. Over the past several years, he emerged as a visible presence around the actor-turned-politician during major political and personal events.
Following the launch of the TVK, Vettrivel was appointed as one of the party's official spokespersons and became a regular face on television debates, actively defending and articulating the party's positions on public platforms. Sources within political circles describe him as part of Vijay's trusted inner circle, involved in political communication and coordination since the party's formation.
Political Reactions and Scrutiny
The appointment has triggered political discussions across Tamil Nadu, with Opposition parties and political observers closely watching the evolving structure of the Chief Minister's office under the TVK government. Supporters of the ruling party have described the move as a decision grounded in trust and loyalty, while critics have questioned the growing influence of non-traditional political figures in formal administrative roles.
Notably, this is not the first time an incoming Tamil Nadu government has placed close personal associates in advisory positions — but the appointment of a practising astrologer as a political OSD is being viewed as a distinct stylistic choice by the new administration.
What This Signals for the New Government
Since taking office on 10 May 2025, the Vijay-led government has initiated a series of administrative and political decisions aimed at projecting a distinct governance style. The appointment of Vettrivel is expected to further strengthen the political coordination mechanism around the Chief Minister as the new administration settles into its functioning.
As the TVK government continues to shape its administrative architecture, the composition of the Chief Minister's office — and the profiles of those appointed to it — will remain under close watch from both political rivals and governance observers.
Point of View
Where the Chief Minister's office has often functioned as an extension of personal loyalty networks. What is notable here is the speed: within days of assuming office, Vijay has formalised the role of someone from outside conventional political or bureaucratic pipelines. Critics are right to flag the precedent, but the more substantive question is whether the OSD structure will duplicate or override the existing bureaucratic advisory chain — a tension that has historically created friction in Tamil Nadu's CMO. The new government's governance credentials will ultimately be judged not by who sits in the OSD chair, but by what decisions flow through it.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel?
Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel is an astrologer and TVK party spokesperson with a longstanding close association with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. He has been a visible presence around Vijay during major political events and regularly appeared on television debates as a party representative.
What is the role of a Political OSD to the Chief Minister?
An Officer on Special Duty (Political) assists the Chief Minister in political coordination and advisory functions within the Chief Minister's Office. Vettrivel's appointment specifically covers political liaison and coordination matters, according to the government order.
When did the TVK government assume office in Tamil Nadu?
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, assumed office on 10 May 2025 following its victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Why has the appointment triggered political debate?
Critics have questioned the appointment of a non-traditional political figure — an astrologer — in a formal government advisory role, raising concerns about the growing influence of personal associates in administrative positions. Supporters, however, describe the move as one based on trust and loyalty.
How does this appointment fit into the TVK government's early decisions?
The appointment of Vettrivel is one of several early administrative moves by the TVK government aimed at shaping its political structure. It reflects CM Vijay's preference for placing trusted associates in key coordination roles as the new administration consolidates its functioning.
