Facing backlash, Tamil Nadu CM Vijay removes Rickey Radhan as OSD within a day of appointment

The newly-formed government under Vijay in Tamil Nadu withdrew the appointment of the chief minister's astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as the Officer on Special Duty.

The move came after Chief Minister Vijay faced backlash from the Opposition, as well as allies, over the appointment of his astrologer in a government post.

On Wednesday, the Tamilagam Vettri Kazgham (TVK) passed a floor test in the Legislative Assembly with 144 votes in favour.

Who is Rickey Radhan?

Rickey Radhan Vettrivel was appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political) on Tuesday and was removed from the post just a day later owing to backlash.

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Vettrivel was born in Erode and practices astrology professionally. With more than four decades of experience in Vedic astrology, meditation-based counselling and numerology, he has reportedly advised several prominent figures, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

He reportedly predicted a “tsunami victory” for Vijay ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections. In fact, the chief minister's swearing-in ceremony was earlier scheduled for May 10 at 3:45 pm, but was later rescheduled to 10 am after Vettrivel suggested the time change.

Vijay passes the floor test

With its allies, the TVK held a strength of 120 MLAs in the House. 22 MLAs voted against the TVK, and five MLAs abstained. However, the DMK staged a walkout, reducing the total strength of the House during the voting. The number of MLAs supporting Vijay shows that a block of AIADMK rebels disobeyed the party whip and voted against it.

The TVK won the floor test as Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and VCK MLAs extended support to the party. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which has two MLAs, has also extended support to the TVK government. Expelled Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) MLA Kamaraj has also supported TVK in the Assembly.

While AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said that all 47 MLAs will vote against the TVK, the Assembly witnessed an ADMK versus ADMK showdown. Former minister and party MLA SP Velumani also spoke during the Assembly proceedings, and was objected to by supporters of Edappadi K. Palaniswami.