Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and minister Saji Cherian has secured a third consecutive victory from the Chengannur constituency in the Kerala Assembly elections, reportedly breaking the decades-old 'Manmohan Bungalow jinx' associated with a pre-Independence-era official residence in Thiruvananthapuram. The win, announced on 4 May, is being seen as both an electoral milestone and a symbolic rupture with one of Kerala politics' most enduring superstitions.

What Is the Manmohan Bungalow Jinx

The Manmohan Bungalow, an imposing pre-Independence residence located near the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, 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 has persisted across party lines and successive governments, reinforced by a series of political reversals spanning the Travancore-Cochin era to the present day.

Past occupants linked to the jinx include prominent leaders such as T.U. Kuruvilla and former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, many of whom either resigned, faced controversies, or failed to win re-election. Even veteran leader K. Karunakaran is cited in this narrative, having stepped down shortly after returning as Chief Minister.

How Cherian Came to Occupy the Bungalow

The latest chapter began when Transport Minister Antony Raju vacated the bungalow following his resignation, reinforcing perceptions of a curse attached to the residence. Conventionally, the house would have been allotted to his cabinet successor, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, but he reportedly chose to stay away — a decision understood to be informed by personal history. His father, veteran leader R. Balakrishna Pillai, had once resided there and was subsequently forced to resign amid controversy.

Cherian then moved into the residence at a time when he was actively seeking re-election, placing him squarely within the orbit of the so-called jinx. His decision to occupy the bungalow despite its reputation drew considerable attention ahead of the polls.

The Significance of the Hat-Trick Win

Cherian's decisive victory in Chengannur marks his third straight win from the constituency, a feat that stands out as a political milestone in a state known for volatile electoral swings. The result has now challenged the Manmohan Bungalow narrative in a manner no previous occupant had managed.

Notably, electoral outcomes in Kerala are shaped by governance record, caste arithmetic, and voter sentiment — factors that ultimately outweigh political folklore. Cherian's consistent hold over Chengannur suggests a strong local support base that has proven resilient across three consecutive cycles.

What This Means for Kerala Politics

The Chengannur result may well mark the beginning of the end for one of Kerala politics' most enduring superstitions. While the jinx was never more than political folklore, its psychological weight on ministers and aspirants has been real and documented across governments. Cherian's hat-trick could, at least symbolically, close that chapter.

Whether the CPI-M's broader performance in the 2025 Kerala Assembly elections sustains the Left Democratic Front's position in government remains to be seen as counting progresses across constituencies.