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Saji Cherian’s Hat Trick Win Breaks ‘Manmohan Bungalow Jinx’ in Kerala

Senior CPI-M leader Saji Cherian has won a third consecutive term from Chengannur in the Kerala Assembly polls. His victory is seen as breaking the decades-old ‘jinx’ associated with the Manmohan Bungalow in Thiruvananthapuram. The bungalow has a reputation for causing political reversals for ministers who occupy it, including resignations and electoral losses. Cherian’s hat trick win challenges this enduring political superstition in Kerala.

Key Points: Saji Cherian Breaks ‘Manmohan Bungalow Jinx’ with Hat Trick Win

  • Saji Cherian wins third straight term from Chengannur
  • The Manmohan Bungalow is believed to bring bad luck to ministers
  • Previous occupants like Antony Raju and K. Karunakaran faced setbacks
  • Cherian’s victory challenges the long-standing political superstition
2 min read

CPI-M candidate Saji Cherian's hat trick win breaks 'Manmohan Bungalow jinx'

CPI-M leader Saji Cherian wins third straight term from Chengannur, breaking the decades-old political jinx linked to the Manmohan Bungalow in Thiruvananthapuram.

"The Chengannur result may well mark the beginning of the end for one of Kerala politics' most enduring superstitions. - News article"

Thiruvananthapuram, May 4

In a Kerala Assembly polls result that blends electoral success with political folklore, senior CPI-M leader and minister Saji Cherian has scripted a third consecutive victory from Chengannur, while appearing to have broken the long-standing 'jinx' associated with the Manmohan Bungalow in the state capital.

The imposing pre-Independence-era residence, located near the Raj Bhavan, has for decades carried a reputation that any minister occupying it would either fail to complete a full term or lose their subsequent election.

The belief, rooted in a series of political reversals, has persisted across party lines and governments.

The latest chapter in this narrative unfolded when Transport Minister Antony Raju vacated the bungalow following his resignation, reinforcing the perception of a curse attached to the residence.

Conventionally, the house should have been allotted to his cabinet successor, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, but he is understood to have opted to stay away, given the bungalow's history and his personal association with it.

His father, veteran leader R. Balakrishna Pillai, had once stayed there and was forced to resign after a controversy.

Instead, Cherian moved into the residence at a time when he was seeking re-election, placing him squarely within the orbit of the so-called jinx.

However, his decisive win in Chengannur has now challenged that narrative.

The bungalow's past occupants include a long list of leaders who encountered setbacks.

From early occupants in the Travancore-Cochin era to prominent ministers like T.U. Kuruvilla and Thomas Isaac, many either resigned, faced scandals, or failed to secure re-election.

Even heavyweight leaders such as K. Karunakaran were not entirely untouched by its shadow, having stepped down shortly after returning as Chief Minister.

Against this backdrop, Cherian's hat-trick victory stands out as a political and symbolic milestone.

While electoral outcomes are ultimately shaped by governance and voter sentiment, the Chengannur result may well mark the beginning of the end for one of Kerala politics' most enduring superstitions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Interesting how folklore persists even in modern politics. But let's be honest, it's the performance, not the house. Cherian's hat-trick shows people see beyond such myths.
S
Siddharth J
While it's good to see superstitions challenged, this "jinx" narrative seems like a convenient distraction. The real issue is why so many ministers from different parties faced problems. Maybe it's about governance quality, not ghosts. 👻
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Vikram M
Hat trick in Chengannur is impressive. But we should also ask - why did K.B. Ganesh Kumar avoid the bungalow? If even seasoned politicians believe in this stuff, maybe there's something to it. Saji Cherian's win might just be the exception that proves the rule. 🤔
K
Kavya N
Kerala politics and its superstitions! 😄 From Manmohan Bungalow to Karunakaran's "Aashan" curse, we love our political folklore. But honestly, if a minister does good work, voters don't care about bungalows. Cherian proved that.
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Rohit P
The real jinx in Kerala politics is the lack of a strong opposition. When you have a minister winning three times in a row, it's more about the ruling party's dominance than any bungalow. Let's focus on real issues - inflation, unemployment - not house ghosts.

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