A familiar superstition has resurfaced at Kerala’s state secretariat after the formation of the new UDF government, with ministers initially avoiding official car number 13.

Following the swearing-in of Chief Minister V D Satheesan and his 20-member cabinet, official vehicles were allotted to ministers. While cars numbered 1 to 12 were quickly taken, no minister had initially opted for car number 13.

The issue sparked discussion on social media, with users pointing to the contrast between such beliefs and Kerala’s reputation for rationalist and progressive politics. Critics also drew attention to how hesitation around the number appears to cut across party lines.

KM Shaji breaks the deadlock

The vacant slot eventually found a taker after Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji requested car number 13.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Shaji had initially been allotted car number 9 after the swearing-in ceremony and had arrived in the temporarily assigned vehicle on Monday. A video of party workers reportedly saying that “number 9 is not needed for us” later circulated widely on social media.

At the same time, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had sought car number 9. Following this, Shaji asked for and received car number 13.

The number 13 is considered unlucky by some because of long-standing superstitious beliefs attached to it. Even after the new cabinet assumed office and vehicles were allotted, the number had remained unclaimed until Shaji opted for it.

A long political history around number 13

Avoiding the number 13 (Triskaidekaphobia, fear or avoidance of the number 13) is not new in Kerala politics.

During an earlier UDF government, official car number 13 had reportedly been left out altogether. In the previous LDF government, former Agriculture Minister P Prasad used car number 13, while former Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac used the same number during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government. In 2006, former Education Minister M A Baby had also accepted the vehicle during the V S Achuthanandan government. However, during the 2011 UDF government, there was no official vehicle carrying the number 13.

A similar belief surrounds Room No 13 at the MLA Hostel in Thiruvananthapuram. For years, legislators have avoided Room 13 in the Nila Block because of a belief that MLAs staying there fail to win the next election.

For the past 10 years, however, C K Hareendran has continued to stay in Room 13, dismissing such beliefs. Despite being a senior MLA and being eligible for another room, he chose to remain there. People close to him said he has requested the same room again and intends to continue staying there.

The reluctance around the number had previously extended beyond politics as well. The Kerala High Court had once omitted courtroom number 13 from its numbering system before the Supreme Court criticised the move, saying constitutional institutions should not encourage such beliefs.