Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Vijay, has made headlines by dismissing astrologer Rickey Rathan Pandit Vettrivel from his position as an officer on special duty, following a wave of public and legal scrutiny surrounding the appointment. This decision, announced on Wednesday, comes just hours after a petition was filed in the Madras High Court challenging Vettrivel’s appointment, highlighting the ongoing debate over the influence of astrology in politics.

The controversy began when a lawyer sought an urgent hearing before a vacation bench of the Madras High Court, arguing against the legitimacy of Vettrivel’s appointment. According to reports, the petition questioned the legal basis of Vettrivel holding such a significant position, effectively asking for a writ of quo warranto. This type of writ compels a person in public office to demonstrate the legal grounds for their appointment, a demand that has now been thrust into the spotlight.

In his defense, the petitioner pointed out that the appointment lacked the traditional recruitment processes typically required for such official positions. There were no public applications, no established service rules, and no notification to the public regarding the opening. This has raised serious questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the decision made by the Chief Minister.

Vettrivel, who has gained attention for his bold predictions regarding the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, had earlier forecasted that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by CM Vijay, would rise to prominence and that Vijay himself would secure a victory in upcoming Assembly elections. These predictions, however, have not shielded him from the backlash following his appointment.

In a further development, the TVK successfully passed a confidence motion in the Assembly on the same day as the dismissal, with 144 of the 234 MLAs backing the motion. This indicates that despite the controversy surrounding Vettrivel, CM Vijay’s government still holds a significant majority, a testament to the political dynamics at play in the state. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this incident on Vijay’s administration and its public perception remain to be seen.