Chennai, May 13, 2026 — In a move that has sparked curiosity across Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) and assumed the role of Chief Minister following the party’s strong showing in the 2026 Assembly elections, has formally appointed his long-time astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political).
The appointment, issued on May 12, brings into the official corridors of power a figure deeply embedded in the world of political astrology and numerology — a practice that Tamil Nadu leaders have long consulted in private but rarely institutionalised so openly.
Who is Radhan Pandit Vetrivel?
Born simply as Vetrivel in Erode, the astrologer first rose to prominence in Tamil Nadu’s power circles as a trusted advisor to former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Their association, however, ended dramatically after Vetrivel reportedly assured Jayalalithaa that she would escape imprisonment in the disproportionate assets case. When the Madras High Court convicted her in September 2014 and she was sent to jail, the relationship ruptured. Jayalalithaa reportedly stopped consulting him, and Vetrivel soon left for Singapore.
It was during his time abroad — and later in Delhi — that Vetrivel reinvented himself. He adopted the more pan-Indian sounding name “Radhan Pandit Vetrivel” (sometimes referred to as Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel), a rebranding that associates say was aimed at expanding his clientele among the Indian diaspora while retaining his Tamil roots. He maintains an apartment in Chennai.
Entry into Vijay’s Inner Circle
Vetrivel was introduced to Vijay’s political ecosystem after the actor returned from Singapore, reportedly through a mutual intermediary. His influence quickly became evident. According to sources close to the party, Vetrivel advised Vijay to contest from a constituency whose name begins with the letter “V” — a suggestion that aligned with the actor’s own name and the party’s branding.
During the election campaign, Vetrivel appeared in multiple YouTube interviews openly predicting a strong political rise for Vijay and the TVK. He has also been described in some reports as a TVK spokesperson, further cementing his proximity to the leadership.
A Rare Institutionalisation of Astrology in Politics
Tamil Nadu politics has a long, if discreet, tradition of leaders across parties turning to astrologers and numerologists for guidance on everything from election timing to portfolio allocations. Vetrivel’s elevation to an official OSD position, however, is being seen as a rare instance of such influence being formalised within a ruling party’s structure.
The development comes as TVK, founded by Vijay in 2024, surprised many by emerging as a major force in the 2026 polls. With Vijay now at the helm of the state government, the appointment signals the continued sway of astrological counsel in shaping key decisions at the highest levels.
Vetrivel, who specialises in political astrology, has not issued any public statement on his new role so far. The Chief Minister’s Office has confirmed the appointment but declined to comment further on the specific duties attached to the OSD post.
The move is likely to fuel debate on the role of astrology in modern governance, even as supporters view it as an extension of Vijay’s personal belief system that has guided his successful transition from reel life to realpolitik.