Chennai: Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has appointed his astrologer and spiritual adviser Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political).
According to an official government order, Vettrivel’s appointment will come into effect “from the date of his joining”. The post of OSD (Political) is considered a key advisory role within the Chief Minister’s Office, often involving coordination on political strategy and communication.
Vettrivel, known in political and spiritual circles as Radhan Pandit, had emerged as a prominent figure during Vijay’s political rise and the 2026 Assembly election campaign. He reportedly predicted a “tsunami victory” for Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam nearly a year before the election results were declared.
Political observers say the astrologer had become part of Vijay’s close inner circle during the formation and expansion of TVK, which stunned traditional Dravidian parties by emerging as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10.
The appointment has drawn attention because of the increasing visibility of spiritual advisers in political decision-making.
