Political Tensions Rise in Tamil Nadu Over Chief Minister's Controversial Appointment

The political climate in Tamil Nadu has become increasingly tense following Chief Minister Vijay's controversial appointment of his personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty. This decision has sparked a heated debate, especially after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks calling for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma. Vijay's composed response and the timing of the astrologer's appointment have raised eyebrows and intensified discussions among political factions. As the floor test unfolds, both the DMK and its allies are seizing the opportunity to critique the Chief Minister, leading to a significant surge in public interest and online searches regarding Vijay's religious affiliations. This unfolding drama highlights the ongoing challenges within Tamil Nadu's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 13, 2026, 12:09 IST

Challenge to the Dravidian Tradition

A recent decision by Chief Minister Vijay has sparked significant debate in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, particularly regarding the long-standing traditions of the "Dravidian model" and "rationalism." During a floor test in the assembly, the DMK launched a fierce critique against Sanatan Dharma, while Vijay's appointment of his personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) has ignited further discussions.

"Eradicate Sanatan" vs. "Silent Respect"

The assembly session heated up on Tuesday when DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin directly targeted Chief Minister Vijay, stating, "Sanatan, which has divided people, must be eradicated." In response, Vijay, dressed in a suit, maintained a composed demeanor, opting for a gesture of respect by folding his hands. He remarked, "Everyone here is important... good suggestions will be accepted, while bad ones will be rejected."

Astrologer's Appointment Raises Eyebrows

Following this exchange, the announcement of Vijay's personal astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vetrivel, being appointed as OSD made headlines. Questions arose regarding the timing of this decision. It appeared that Vijay had already made up his mind, but the sequence of events—Stalin's remarks, Vijay's respectful gesture, and the subsequent appointment—intensified political discussions.

DMK Seizes the Opportunity

The DMK quickly capitalized on the controversy; party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai tweeted, "Many of you might be wondering what our leader #UdhayStalin said in the assembly. Now, ponder who has been appointed as 'Officer on Special Duty.'"

Floor Test Tensions Continue

However, the matter did not end there. When the floor test commenced on Wednesday, leaders from both factions were not willing to let the issue fade easily. Vijay's ally, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), subtly criticized the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vetrivel. VCK MLA Vanni Arasu stated, "Our government should prioritize scientific thinking over astrology."

DMDK's Strong Critique

In contrast, the DMDK, an ally of Stalin's DMK, launched a sharp attack on Vijay; its MLA Premalatha Vijayakant deemed the appointment "unacceptable," asserting that it sends the wrong message to the youth.

Breaking Tradition

This controversy began when Vijay took his oath, stating, "I, C. Joseph Vijay." Until then, he was primarily known by a single name, such as "Thalapathy" or simply "Vijay." However, his decision to swear in the name of "Andavan" (God) broke from the tradition upheld by previous Dravidian leaders, who typically swore on their conscience.

Surge in Google Searches

Following this, there was a notable spike in Google search trends related to Vijay's religious affiliations, with the highest searches coming from states like Nagaland, Goa, Meghalaya, and Mizoram—regions with significant Christian populations.