Bhubaneswar: This is an appointment that was “in and out in a jiffy”. It barely lasted long enough to settle into the files.

What was projected as a quiet political accommodation quickly spiralled into a full-blown embarrassment—forcing actor-turned-politician Vijay to revoke his own order amid a chorus of protests from allies and adversaries alike.

At the centre of the storm: Radhan Pandit—an astrologer with a controversial past, deep political linkages, and a résumé that now sits uneasily with the demands of public office.

Short-lived Appointment, Swift Backlash

The decision to appoint Radhan Pandit as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) triggered immediate resistance. Allies like the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), along with opposition parties such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), closed ranks in criticism.

The charge was simple yet politically potent: how could an ‘influential’ astrologer be appointed to a government-linked advisory role?

Within days, the order was withdrawn.

The rollback, while containing immediate damage, exposed a deeper issue—Vijay’s political miscalculation and a lack of anticipation of ideological backlash, especially from Dravidian and Left-leaning allies who have historically opposed astrology (which they term as unscientific) in governance.

Who is Radhan Pandit?

Radhan Pandit, who originally went by Pandit Vettrival, claims over four decades of experience in astrology and meditation. His journey into political relevance began, by his own account, in 1989—through an unlikely medium: a postcard.

Addressed to J. Jayalalithaa, it contained predictions about her political future. The message worked. Between 1989 and 1990, he met Jayalalithaa multiple times, laying the foundation for what would become a defining association.

He later claimed to have predicted:

·        Jayalalithaa’s 1996 electoral defeat

·        Her loss from her own constituency

·        Her imprisonment the same year

These assertions reportedly elevated him to the status of her “personal astrologer.”

Power Networks and Claims of Influence

Pandit has long flaunted connections with an eclectic mix of bureaucrats, corporate figures, and public personalities—ranging from former RBI deputy governor Jagdish Kapoor to legal, corporate and tinsel town actress Manisha Koirala.

More politically explosive, however, are his claims within Tamil Nadu politics:

·        Suggesting candidate names for Assembly elections

·        Recommending figures like Tiruppur Sivasamy and Chennai Valarmathi for MLA tickets

·        Claiming proximity to V. K. Sasikala and influence over ministerial appointments, including Pollachi Jayaraman

He also asserted that he astrologically predicted outcomes in 12 out of 13 legal cases involving Jayalalithaa.

Such claims, while never institutionally validated, reinforced his image as a backroom influencer during the AIADMK era.

From Chennai to Delhi: Reinvention Amid Adversity

Pandit’s fallout with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime dates back to 2008. He alleged harassment and torture under the DMK government, forcing him to relocate to Delhi.

In what appears to be a calculated reinvention, he rebranded himself—dropping “Vettrival” and emerging as “Radhan Pandit.”

Despite reportedly not knowing Hindi, he managed to rebuild his clientele in the national capital, sustaining his career through elite networks and high-profile claims.

The OSD question: Why the Appointment is Problematic

The controversy is not merely political—it strikes at administrative norms.

An Officer on Special Duty (OSD) is not a ceremonial position. Typically, the role involves:

·        Policy coordination

·        Administrative oversight

·        Liaison between departments and leadership

·        Handling sensitive governmental assignments

Appointments to such posts are expected to be based on administrative competence, domain expertise, or civil service experience.

Placing an astrologer in such a role raises fundamental concerns:

·        It blurs the line between personal belief and public policy

·        It potentially violates principles of rational governance

·        It risks institutional credibility, especially in a state shaped by anti-superstition Dravidian politics

For parties like the DMK and Left allies, the issue was ideological as much as procedural.

Jayalalithaa Link Turns Liability?

If Pandit’s rise was scripted by his proximity to Jayalalithaa, his current fall appears to be shaped by the same association.

In Tamil Nadu’s political memory, the AIADMK era—and figures orbiting it—remain contentious, particularly for the DMK and its allies. Pandit’s open claims of influence during that period effectively turned him into an easy target.

His past, once an asset, became a political liability.

In that sense, Jayalalithaa’s legacy has paradoxically become Pandit’s nemesis.

A political Misread by Vijay

For Vijay, the episode is revealing.

The backlash was not unpredictable. The ideological stance of allies like VCK, CPI, and CPI(M) against superstition is well established. The DMK’s political hostility toward figures linked to Jayalalithaa is equally well known.

Yet, the appointment went through—only to be hastily reversed.

The climbdown signals more than just damage control. It reflects a gap in political foresight, an underestimation of alliance sensitivities, and perhaps an overreliance on informal networks.

The BIG Takeaway

Radhan Pandit’s story is not just about an astrologer under fire. It is about the uneasy intersection of belief, power, and governance.

His four-decade journey—from a postcard prediction to corridors of influence—has now collided with the hard edges of institutional accountability.

And in that collision, both the man and the political leadership that backed him have taken a hit.

Also Read: Stalin’s Sanatana Dharma Pitch in Assembly: Strategic Trap for CM Vijay or Political Overreach?