Tamil Nadu: CM Vijay removes astrologer as his aide after appointment row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Wednesday removed astrologer Rickey Rathan Pandit Vettrivel as an officer on special duty amid criticism about the appointment, The Indian Express reported.

This came hours after a plea had been filed in the Madras High Court challenging Vettrivel’s appointment, Live Law reported. The matter was mentioned by a lawyer for urgent listing before a vacation bench of Justices Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar.

The matter was expected to be heard on Thursday, the legal news outlet reported.

The petitioner had sought a writ of quo warranto questioning the authority under which Vettrivel holds the post, Bar and Bench reported. A quo warranto petition requires a person holding a public office to show the legal basis of their appointment.

The plea challenged a government order issued on Tuesday appointing Vettrivel as officer on special duty (political).

The petitioner argued that the appointment had been made without a recruitment process, inviting applications, framing service rules and issuing a public notification, Bar and Bench reported.

Vettrivel had reportedly predicted that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam would emerge as a major political force, and that Vijay would win the Assembly elections and become the chief minister.

Vijay’s TVK wins floor test

The TVK won the floor test in the Assembly on Wednesday as 144 MLAs in the 234-member House voted in favour of the confidence motion moved by the Vijay-led government, The Hindu...

Read more