Political circles across India have long witnessed stories of superstition regarding official bungalows, ministerial portfolios, and city visits. While several leaders in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh avoided certain locations out of fear for their tenure, a fresh wave of concern has emerged in Jharkhand. Following the untimely death of three consecutive education ministers, discussions surrounding superstitious beliefs in power corridors have resurfaced. The recent demise of Sudivya Sonu has drawn focus back to this unusual sequence of events in state politics.
Tragic Sequence of Demises in Jharkhand Education Ministry
In Jharkhand, the education portfolio has come under intense discussion due to tragic circumstances. When Hemant Soren assumed power after defeating the BJP in 2019, Jagarnath Mahto, popularly known as Tiger, was appointed as the Education Minister. During the COVID pandemic, he suffered severe lung complications and passed away on 6 April 2023. Following his death, the responsibility of the ministry was handed over to Ramdas Soren. However, within a span of just one year, he also passed away. Thereafter, Sudivya Sonu was appointed as the state's third education minister. Recognized as a key troubleshooter for the Hemant Soren administration and a highly trusted leader within the JMM, Sudivya Sonu passed away recently on 6 September 2026. This consecutive loss of three leaders in the same ministerial role has created hesitation among political figures regarding taking charge of the department. Currently, deliberations are underway regarding the appointment of a new education minister. Speculation suggests that Hemant Soren might assign this portfolio to a leader from the Congress quota. Another possibility being discussed is that Hemant Soren may induct his MLA wife Kalpana Soren into the cabinet and assign the education ministry to her if no other leader agrees to accept the portfolio.
Haunted Bungalows and Political Shifts in Bihar
Stories of political superstitions are not restricted to Jharkhand alone. Similar beliefs have persisted for years in Bihar regarding official residences allotted to government leaders. In Patna, several ministerial quarters have been perceived as inauspicious. A prominent instance occurred involving Lalu Yadav's elder son Tej Pratap, who served as the health minister after a political shift led to the formation of a government under Nitish Kumar with the RJD. When Nitish Kumar later rejoined the BJP and the Grand Alliance government collapsed, Tej Pratap was forced to vacate his ministerial post. This incident took place in 1918. During his tenure as minister, Tej Pratap was allotted bungalow number 3 on Deshratna Marg, located adjacent to the Chief Minister's official residence. Although his exit from the cabinet was a direct result of political realignments, Tej Pratap publicly labeled the residence as inauspicious and claimed that ghosts resided inside the bungalow. He went on to assert that BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi (now deceased) and Nitish Kumar had sent ghosts into the house to ensure no occupant could live there in peace.
Inauspicious Properties and Administrative Coincidences
Apart from 3, Deshratna Marg, several other official residences in Bihar have carried similar reputations. Local political beliefs held that any minister who moved into these specific properties failed to complete their full official tenure. Residences such as 39, Harding Road and bungalow number 6 on Strand Road were frequently cited as inauspicious quarters. Ministers staying in these locations reportedly faced difficult political situations that prevented them from finishing their terms. However, political analysts view these occurrences purely as coincidences rather than reality. In the case of Tej Pratap, the loss of his portfolio stemmed entirely from political shifts when Nitish Kumar broke ties with the RJD. The Deshratna Marg bungalow was later allotted to Awadhesh Narayan Singh, the Chairman of the Legislative Council.
The Long-Standing Noida Jinx in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh politics also contains a famous superstitious belief concerning the industrial city of Noida. For decades, Chief Ministers avoided visiting Noida due to a widespread belief that travelling to the city resulted in the immediate loss of power. This apprehension had historical backing among politicians following specific events
- In June 1988, the then Chief Minister Veer Bahadur Singh visited Noida and was forced to step down shortly afterward.
- In 1989, the then Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari travelled to Noida and lost his ministerial chair soon after his visit.
- Subsequently, Chief Ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, and Kalyan Singh all lost power after conducting official visits to Noida.
Due to this persistent fear, Akhilesh Yadav refrained from visiting Noida during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2012 to 2017. While he conducted administrative meetings via video conferencing, he consistently avoided physical visits to the city.
Shattering the Noida Superstition
The long-held fear surrounding Noida was eventually shattered by Yogi Adityanath. After becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath made frequent and repeated visits to Noida, disregarding the old political myth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted this change during the inauguration of the Jewar Airport, noting that previous leaders avoided visiting Noida out of fear of losing their posts, whereas modern governance prioritizes development over superstitious apprehensions.
