Mystic Men: Before Vijay’s Astrologer Appointment, These Godmen And Gurus Shaped Indian Politics

Last Updated:May 12, 2026, 19:57 IST

Vijay has officially appointed his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as 'Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political)'

In a move that has rewritten the administrative playbook of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has formalised a relationship that usually remains confined to the shadows of the “puja room". On Tuesday, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader officially appointed his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, as “Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political)".

While Indian politicians have long consulted the cosmos, this marks a rare instance where a “star-gazer" has been handed a government salary and a formal cabin in the Secretariat. To understand the gravity of this move, one must look past the horoscopes and into the history of India’s most powerful “shadow cabinets."

The Official Seal: From Prediction to Policy

Radhan Pandit is not a new face in Vijay’s inner circle. For over a year, he has been the architect of the Chief Minister’s public timeline. He famously predicted a “tsunami victory" for the TVK when pollsters were still calling it a long shot. More recently, he was the man who reportedly insisted that Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony be moved to 10 am on May 10, a “muhurat" (auspicious time) designed to ensure administrative longevity.

By appointing him as an OSD (Political), Vijay has shifted the role from spiritual advisor to strategic consultant. Unlike a traditional bureaucrat, Pandit’s portfolio will likely involve vetting political appointments, timing the launch of welfare schemes, and potentially navigating the delicate coalition math ahead of the May 13 floor test—all through the lens of Vedic alignment.

Echoes of the ‘Amma’ Model

The appointment has drawn immediate comparisons to the late J Jayalalithaa, who famously added an extra “a" to her name for numerological luck and wore a signature green saree for auspicious public events. However, even Jayalalithaa—who was known to consult the same Radhan Pandit in the past—kept her spiritual advisors on the periphery of the official government gazette.

Vijay’s decision to institutionalise this role is seen by many as a modern adaptation of the Jayalalithaa style: combining a cult-like “Amma-style" leadership with a firm belief that governance requires both popular mandate and divine timing.

The Legacy of the ‘Shadow Strategists’

The history of Indian politics is littered with spiritual figures who held more power than elected ministers. Vijay’s move follows a long tradition of “Astro-politics“, though rarely with such transparency:

Dhirendra Brahmachari: Known as the “Rasputin of India", the yoga mentor to Indira Gandhi held immense sway over the PMO during the Emergency, influencing everything from cabinet reshuffles to state policy.

Chandraswami: The self-styled tantrik was the spiritual confidant of PV Narasimha Rao. He was often seen as the ultimate “fixer," bridging the gap between global arms dealers, world leaders, and the Indian Prime Minister’s residence.

K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR): The former Telangana CM spent hundreds of crores on a new, “Vastu-compliant" Secretariat, believing that the physical alignment of the building was a mechanical necessity for the state’s prosperity.

A Defiance of ‘Dravidian’ Rationalism?

The most striking aspect of Pandit’s appointment is the geography. Tamil Nadu is the cradle of Periyar’s rationalism, where the ruling DMK has long championed a “scientific temper" that rejects religious symbolism in governance. By bringing a Vedic astrologer into the core of the CMO, Joseph Vijay is signalling a clean break from the old Dravidian guard.

For the TVK, this isn’t just about superstition; it is about “Vettri" (Victory). If the stars helped him conquer the ballot box, Vijay clearly believes they are qualified to help him manage the state.

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