CHENNAI, May 13 -- Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday appointed his long-term astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel as officer of special duty (OSD) in the CM's office, according to a state government order. The move, however, drew criticism from leaders of allies Congress and VCK.

The government order, issued by principal secretary Reeta Harish Thakkar, stated that Vetrivel has been appointed as the OSD to the chief minister (political) "from the date of his joining".

A popular astrologer, Vetrivel, who is also a spokesperson for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), had apparently predicted that Vijay would become chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Former chief minister late J Jayalalithaa was also among his clients, but ...