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Who is Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, Vijay’s astrologer, now part of Tamil Nadu govt?

Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, Vijay’s astrologer, has been officially appointed the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Vetrivel has long been associated with astrology and numerology when it comes to the rich and powerful in Tamil Nadu. He reportedly predicted the actor-turned politician’s win

Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel gave multiple interviews heralding Vijay’s political rise. Image courtesy: Moneycontrol

FP Explainers|May 12, 2026, 18:35:59 IST

Actor-politician Vijay has appointed his astrologer to a role in the Tamil Nadu government.

Why it matters: Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel has been officially appointed the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), signalling the influence of astrology and numerology in Tamil Nadu’s political circles.

The details: The announcement was made by the Public Department Secretariat on Tuesday, days after Vijay’s TVK was sworn in.

This is the first government in Tamil Nadu from neither the DMK nor the AIADMK.

The TVK got 108 seats in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Though it emerged as the single largest party, it was short of the requisite numbers needed to form the government and required outside support.

Early years

As per Indian Express, Vetrivel was born in Erode.

He is widely known in Tamil Nadu political circles.

Over the decades, he has been consulted by many politicians, including J Jayalalithaa, ahead of polls.

The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is said to have made decisions after consulting Vetrivel.

However, the two fell out after a prediction went spectacularly awry.

The turning point: Vetrivel reportedly told Jayalalithaa she would not face prison in the disproportionate assets case. However, in September 2014, she was sent to jail after the verdict found her guilty. Sources told the newspaper that, in the aftermath, Jayalalithaa no longer consulted Vetrivel. It was then that the astrologer moved to Singapore.

The reinvention

According to the newspaper, it was at this time that Vetrivel sought to reinvent himself. He took the name “Radhan Pandit Vetrivel” and attempted to widen his appeal to the Indian diaspora. He also spent some time in New Delhi. According to India Today, while in Delhi he began seeing members of the BJP and Congress.

Entry into Vijay’s inner circle and key decisons

It was when he returned to Tamil Nadu from Delhi that Vetrivel entered Vijay’s inner political circle.

He reportedly urged Vijay to run from a constituency beginning with the letter “V”.

He also gave multiple interviews heralding Vijay’s political rise.

According to India Today, Vetrivel predicted a “tsunami-like strength” in politics for Vijay after examining his horoscope.

The name of the TVK, its launch, and its timing were all based on Vijay’s horoscope and birth chart.

Vetrivel was said to be among the first to have congratulated Vijay on his victory.

While Vijay had set May 10 at 3:45 pm for the swearing-in ceremony, he changed it to 10 am on Vetrivel’s advice.

Policy move: Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 retail liquor outlets, including 276 shops near places of worship across the state. Considering public welfare, he issued orders to shut these outlets, an official release said.

Accordingly, 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 shops near educational institutions, and 255 outlets near bus stands

will be closed within the next two weeks.

FAQs

1. Who is Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel?

He is a Tamil Nadu-based astrologer and numerologist who has advised several political figures and is now appointed as OSD in the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s office.

2. What role does he play in Vijay’s politics?

He is considered part of Vijay’s inner circle and has reportedly influenced decisions such as constituency choice, party launch timing, and even the swearing-in schedule.

3. Why is his appointment significant?

It highlights the continued influence of astrology in Tamil Nadu politics.

With inputs from agencies