RIO DE JANEIRO, May 13 (Reuters) - Carlo Ancelotti has seen enough trophies, tantrums and tactical revolutions to know that Brazil's World Cup problem is not a shortage of talent - it is what happens when that talent starts treating every misplaced pass like a national emergency.
: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay speaks in the Assembly in Chennai on Tuesday. : Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel , whose appointment as OSD to the Chief Minister was later revoked.
- Photo: @TNDIPRNEWS X/ANI, LinkedIn TAMIL NADU, : The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday revoked the appointment of TVK spokesperson Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, according to an official government order issued by the Public Department. The decision came less than 24 hours after the appointment order was issued and shortly after the newly formed TVK government won the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The move had triggered sharp political reactions, criticism from opposition parties and questions from even some allies within the ruling coalition over the appointment of an astrologer-linked figure to a key government role. An official proceeding issued by the Public Department stated that the earlier order appointing Vettrivel as OSD to the Chief Minister had been withdrawn with immediate effect.
“The orders issued regarding the appointment of Thiru. Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister vide in the reference 2nd cited is hereby revoked,” the order signed by Principal Secretary to Government Reeta Harish Thakkar read. The government order was dated May 13, 2026, and referenced communication received from the Chief Minister’s Office on May 12.
Vettrivel, known to be a close confidant of Vijay, had played an active role during the TVK’s Assembly election campaign and also served as one of the party’s spokespersons. He had earlier drawn attention after predicting a “tsunami victory” for Vijay ahead of the election results. The appointment had drawn sharp reactions from DMK leaders earlier in the day, with party spokesperson TKS Elangovan questioning the decision to appoint an astrologer-linked figure to a politically significant administrative role.
The controversy soon escalated inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly during discussions around the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Vijay. Several legislators criticised the appointment, putting the government under pressure within hours of assuming office. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi MLA Vanni Arasu said the government should uphold scientific thinking instead of promoting superstition and astrology.
DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth also questioned the decision, saying that if Rickey Radhan Pandit was only a personal adviser to the Chief Minister, he could have continued in a private capacity instead of being given an official government designation. She also questioned the message such an appointment would send to youngsters and educated sections of society. The controversy quickly spilled onto social media and wider political circles.
Congress MP and former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil criticised the appointment online, questioning why an astrologer needed an OSD position in the government setup. CPI state secretary P Shanmugam and CPI leader M Veerapandian also attacked the move, arguing that it went against constitutional values, secular governance and scientific temper.
Rickey Radhan Pandit’s official website claims that he had close links with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and had advised the AIADMK leadership on numerology, electoral strategy, legal matters and political decisions during crucial phases of her political career. Facing mounting criticism from multiple quarters, the Tamil Nadu government eventually revoked the appointment order on Wednesday. - The Statesman/ANN
Tamil Nadu Government Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel Appointment Revoked Officer On Special Duty Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay Political Reactions Controversy Astrologer-Linked Figure Criticism
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