CM Vijay revokes appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit as OSD, cites commitment to scientific governance

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay revoked the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit — a prominent astrologer with a large public following — as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister's Office. The revocation came after the appointment triggered an immediate and fierce backlash from the DMK, rationalist organisations, and sections of the media who argued the appointment contradicted the TVK's proclaimed values of scientific rationalism and evidence-based governance.

The government issued a clarifying statement emphasising that CM Vijay is committed to scientific temper and rational principles in all matters of governance. The statement noted that the appointment had been made without full scrutiny of public perception and that the revocation reflects the government's willingness to correct course quickly.

The incident exposed a tension within the TVK's governing identity: the party built its brand on rationalism, progressive politics, and the rejection of superstition, making the appointment of an astrologer to the CM's office a jarring signal. Opposition leaders called it a symptom of the gap between campaign promises and governing decisions. The swift revocation — within hours of the backlash — was read by analysts as a sign that CM Vijay remains sensitive to image management in the early days of the administration.