Kerala’s IUML Minister Opts For Dreaded Car Number 13; Congress Minister Loses ‘Jinxed’ Bungalow
Kerala’s IUML Minister Opts For Dreaded Car Number 13; Congress Minister Loses ‘Jinxed’ Bungalow Reported By, Last Updated: May 24, 2026, 19:37 IST "I found
Kerala’s IUML Minister Opts For Dreaded Car Number 13; Congress Minister Loses ‘Jinxed’ Bungalow Reported By, Last Updated: May 24, 2026, 19:37 IST "I found car number 13 standing there like a poor, abandoned thing, so I took it," says KM Shaji Rapid Read KM Shaji (left) and OJ Janeesh. (News18 Malayalam File/Instagram) After 48 hours of desertion, Kerala government’s car number 13 has got a minister. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Local Self-Government Minister KM Shaji became the first Congress-led UDF minister to choose the vehicle number traditionally shunned by Kerala ministers due to the fear of the number 13, known as Triskaidekaphobia. Shaji had reportedly been assigned car no. 9 after the swearing-in on May 19. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala wanted this number, and it was later reassigned to him. Then Shaji took No. 13 on May 21. “I asked which numbers were available.
They mentioned several numbers. Then I found number 13 was standing there like a poor, abandoned thing, so I took it. We may have misfortunes in life. Is all that because of the number 13? So many people go through pain, hardship, illness, and struggles. Is all that because they chose 13? Of course not. I don’t have such beliefs," Shaji told the media. A video with someone allegedly close to Minister Shaji yelling, “Shajikka, don’t take no. 9" went viral from May 19, minutes after his car was being fitted with the number. CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby was the first minister to use the number when he was a member of the VS Achuthanandan Cabinet (2006-2011). He had to recall a file to get the number, as it was officially abandoned by a government order. However, in the next Oommen Chandy-led UDF government (2011–2016), no minister used car number 13.
In the Pinarayi Vijayan government 1.0 (2016–2021), Finance Minister Thomas Isaac used the car number 13. In the Pinarayi Vijayan government 2.0 (2021-26), the car was used by CPI leader and Agriculture Minister P Prasad. In fact, he volunteered for the number as another minister had some difficulty with that. Meanwhile, OJ Janeesh, who is also the president of the state Youth Congress, took Manmohan Bungalow, which was considered jinxed, as many of its residents failed to return to the Assembly after their term. “I had two choices for the residence, including this. However, I had a fondness for this house as it was the official residence of the late Congress leader K Karunakaran. I don’t see any issue with a house," Janeesh told News18.com. Though he made a point by the bold choice, the residence went to another minister on May 22. The entry of the 37-year-old into the cabinet is being considered a surprise, as this is his first term as a legislator.
Interestingly, Janeesh had a real stunner when he got his official car, No. 10, as its registration number coincided with his victory margin 8,308. “It was a sheer coincidence. I learnt it only when my wife told me," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 24, 2026, 19:37 IST News india Kerala’s IUML Minister Opts For Dreaded Car Number 13; Congress Minister Loses ‘Jinxed’ Bungalow Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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