For decades, a single government bungalow in Thiruvananthapuram has been the subject of whispered warnings and deep-seated superstition among Kerala’s political class. The Manmohan Bungalow — officially the ministers’ residence complex on Manmohan Avenue — carries a reputation that few dare to challenge: those who live there will lose their seat in the assembly.

The sprawling bungalow was originally built by Sree Moolam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore. When Kerala’s first democratic government assumed power, the building was taken over by the state. But it was during the 2006 V S Achuthanandan government that the Manmohan Bungalow entered public controversy. Then Home and Tourism Minister Kodiery Balakrishnan, who resided there, cited vastu defects and undertook a high-profile renovation that only amplified the superstition surrounding the property. He eventually vacated the bungalow.

The list of ministers whose careers took a downturn after living in this bungalow is long. In 2011, when the UDF government came to power, Aryadan Mohammed took over the bungalow and completed his five-year term, only to lose his seat in 2016. Thomas Isaac, who moved in in 2016, also served his full term. PJ Joseph, who had been sworn in earlier, managed to win three consecutive elections from 2011. Mons Joseph also returned to the assembly. But in 2021, Antony Raju, who lived in the Manmohan Bungalow as minister, lost both his ministership and his assembly membership after a 1990 drug case resurfaced.

The superstition dates back to the very first chief minister of Travancore-Cochin. A J John, who took office as the first chief minister, had to vacate both the bungalow and his position very quickly. K Karunakaran lived here when he was chief minister but lost his position within a month due to the Rajan case. T U Kuruvilla lost his ministership during the Rajakumari land deal. Mons Joseph lost his position after a sexual assault case. PJ Joseph lost his position after leaving the coalition.

R Balakrishna Pillai performed elaborate vastu ceremonies before moving in, but soon had to resign mid-term over the Punjab Model speech. Saji Cheriyan completed his term but had to resign as minister over a controversial speech.

Only three ministers who lived in the bungalow successfully completed their full terms without incident: Thomas Isaac, Aryadan Mohammed, and M V Raghavan.

The Manmohan Bungalow and the number 13 car are the two most famous superstitions in Kerala politics. The one person who challenged both and proved them wrong was former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac.

Now, OJ Janish — a young minister in the V D Satheesan cabinet — has moved into the bungalow, defying the long-held superstition. VT Balram, the Thrithala MLA, has publicly praised Janish for rejecting blind faith and choosing to live in the bungalow. “A public servant’s faith should be in the people. If the people are with us and we work for the good of the nation, supernatural forces have no meaningful role to play,” Balram wrote in a Facebook post.