Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has appointed astrologer and TVK spokesperson Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, a move that has sparked criticism from allies and opposition leaders.

Radhan Pandit, who had publicly predicted a major electoral victory for Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, has been considered a close aide of the Chief Minister during the party’s election campaign.

The appointment drew sharp reactions from leaders within the Congress and Left parties. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the decision in a post on X, asking why an astrologer required an OSD position in government.

Leaders from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and CPI(M) also criticised the move, arguing that such appointments go against the principles of scientific temper and secular governance.

According to reports, Radhan Pandit was among the first people to visit Vijay’s residence after TVK’s strong performance in the assembly elections. He has also been associated with the party as a spokesperson and political commentator.

The controversy comes amid rapid political developments in Tamil Nadu following the formation of the new TVK-led government.

Maharashtra opposition parties on Tuesday demanded an all-party meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures amid rising concerns over the ongoing West Asia crisis.

The prime minister recently urged people to avoid non-essential gold purchases, reduce petrol and diesel usage, postpone foreign travel and consider work-from-home practices to help minimise the economic impact of global uncertainty.

Leaders from opposition parties in Maharashtra said the Centre should hold detailed discussions with political parties and explain the broader economic situation to the public. They raised concerns over the possible impact of geopolitical tensions on fuel prices, inflation and the overall economy.

Some opposition leaders also questioned the timing of the austerity appeal, saying citizens deserve greater clarity on the government’s plans to tackle any economic challenges arising from the crisis in West Asia.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the prime minister’s remarks, describing them as precautionary steps aimed at reducing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and controlling inflationary risks linked to global supply disruptions.

The debate comes as concerns grow globally over energy supplies and rising crude oil prices due to tensions in West Asia.

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday took oath as Assam chief minister for a second consecutive term as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power in the state for a third straight term.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Khanapara Veterinary College Field in Guwahati in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP national president Nitin Nabin. More than 40 NDA chief ministers and deputy chief ministers also attended the event.

Along with Himanta Biswa Sarma, four ministers from NDA alliance partners took oath as cabinet ministers in the new Assam government.

The NDA secured 102 seats in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly in the 2026 elections. The BJP won 82 seats, while allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) secured 10 seats each.

Ministers sworn in with Himanta Biswa Sarma

Atul Bora

AGP president Atul Bora took oath as a cabinet minister in the new Assam government. Bora was elected from the Bokakhat constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections.

A senior AGP leader, Bora has represented Bokakhat since 2016 and earlier served as MLA from Golaghat between 1996 and 2001. He has handled several important portfolios in previous Assam governments, including agriculture, horticulture and food processing, animal husbandry and veterinary, urban development, and town and country planning.

Ajanta Neog

Senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog was sworn in as a cabinet minister and is expected to remain a key face in the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government.

Neog, who won from the Golaghat constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections, served as Assam’s finance minister in the previous government. She became the first woman finance minister of the state and has represented the Golaghat Assembly constituency continuously since 2001.

Rameswar Teli

Senior BJP leader Rameswar Teli also took oath as a cabinet minister. He was elected from the Duliajan constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Teli previously served as Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, labour and employment, and food processing industries. He had represented Dibrugarh as a Member of Parliament from 2014 to 2024 and earlier served as MLA from Duliajan between 2001 and 2011.

Charan Boro

BPF leader Charan Boro was sworn in as a cabinet minister in the new Assam government. He was elected from the Majbat constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Boro served as transport minister in the previous government and has represented Majbat in the Assam Legislative Assembly since 2016. He has also handled departments related to transport and Bodoland welfare.

Ranjeet Kumar Dass likely to become Speaker

Senior BJP leader Ranjeet Kumar Dass is set to become the new Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Dass won from the Bhawanipur-Sorbhog constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections. A former journalist, he previously served as Assam’s minister for panchayat and rural development, food and civil supplies, and consumer affairs. He had also served as Speaker of the Assam Assembly between 2016 and 2017.