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As suspense continued for days, Local Self-Government Minister K. M. Shaji eventually volunteered to take the “Kerala State 13” vehicle.
The superstition surrounding the number 13 has repeatedly surfaced in Kerala politics. (AI-Generated Image)
The much-discussed “Kerala State 13″ official ministerial car has finally found an occupant after several ministers reportedly declined to use the number due to long-standing superstitions surrounding 13.
Following the swearing-in of Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and his 20-member cabinet earlier this week, the allocation of official vehicle numbers drew considerable attention in Kerala political circles — particularly over who would accept car number 13.
As suspense continued for days, Local Self-Government Minister K. M. Shaji eventually volunteered to take the “Kerala State 13″ vehicle.
Interestingly, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader had initially been allotted car number 9. However, party workers reportedly objected, saying “number 9 is not needed for us”. Following the objections, Shaji opted for the number 13 vehicle instead — a number widely considered unlucky due to superstition.
Long History Around ‘Number 13’
The superstition surrounding the number 13 has repeatedly surfaced in Kerala politics.
During the previous UDF government, the “Kerala State 13″ vehicle reportedly remained unallotted. When the LDF later came to power, ministers initially avoided accepting the number before former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac volunteered to use it.
Similarly, during the 2006 government led by former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, former minister M. A. Baby had reportedly insisted on using vehicle number 13 to challenge superstitious beliefs.
Not Just Cars, Even Room No. 13
The superstition around the number extends beyond official vehicles. Room No. 13 at the MLA Hostel in Thiruvananthapuram has also long been associated with political folklore.
According to a popular belief, any MLA occupying Room 13 in the Nila Block risks losing the next Assembly election.
However, CPI(M) leader C. K. Hareendran has continued to stay in Room 13 for nearly a decade, dismissing the superstition. Hareendran won the 2026 Assembly election and has once again opted for the same room.
Even the Kerala High Court had once omitted courtroom number 13 from its numbering system before the Supreme Court of India reportedly criticised the practice, observing that constitutional institutions should not encourage superstitious beliefs.
Thiruvananthapuram, India, India
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