Tamil Nadu Government Appoints Rickey Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (Political) to Chief Minister

In a recent statement, P. Shanmugam, the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M), criticized the appointment of an astrologer as the Officer-on-Duty for the Chief Minister, calling the decision “unacceptable.” Shanmugam emphasized that the role of an Officer-on-Duty should be filled by individuals with expertise and relevant experience rather than relying on astrology for political decision-making.

The appointment has sparked debate among various political parties and members of the public, raising questions about the appropriateness of utilizing astrological guidance in governance. This incident comes amid ongoing discussions about the influence of traditional beliefs in modern politics and governance practices. The Chief Minister’s office has not yet released a formal response to Shanmugams remarks or clarified the rationale behind the selection of the astrologer for this position. The situation reflects broader concerns within the state regarding the intersection of politics and personal beliefs.