The Hindu : National : 13 proves unlucky again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

National

National

13 proves unlucky again

NEW DELHI, MAY 13. The term `triskaidekaphobia,' the fear of number 13, may be a tongue twister. But in the case of the Governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it appears to have twisted their fate too.

The number has proved to be the nemesis of Mr. Vajpayee's Government on two occasions in the past. The first time in 1996, the Government lasted only 13 days as he failed to garner majority support in the Lok Sabha. The "inauspicious" date hounded the BJP Government again in April 1999 when it lost the confidence of the Lower House by a solitary vote. This time his Government lasted 13 months.

Buoyed by the Government's "strong performance," Mr. Vajpayee preferred to advance the elections by six months before the end of the term of the 13th Lok Sabha. It was also a coincidence that the National Democratic Alliance government was sworn in on October 13, 1999. A number of astrologers had then considered it auspicious. "Ab ki bari, Atal Bihari" (This time, Atal Bihari) was the slogan chanted by BJP workers the third time he was elected Prime Minister.

After the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, BJP leaders had claimed that May 13 — the counting day — would not prove inauspicious and that Mr. Vajpayee would complete 13 years in power. Their hopes have now been dashed with the BJP finishing far short of the magic figure of 272 needed to form a government at the Centre.

The world over, the number 13 is associated with bad luck. There are several hotels which do not have a 13th floor. Also, hospitals in several countries do not have a bed with this number.

The ancient Greeks talked about this number with trepidation. The Scandinavians believe that the number, signifying bad luck, springs from their mythological demigod, Loki. Originally, the number of demigods was only 12, but another joined them later. The 13th demigod was considered evil and cruel and one who brought great misfortune upon humans. Even in tarot cards, 13 is considered inauspicious. There are others who do not look upon the number with fear. The ancient Mayans worshipped "13 gods of the upper world." The Aztecs climbed 13 steps to their sacred places. Buddhists pay homage to 13 Buddhas. The orthodox Jewish prayer book holds the "Thirteen Principles of Faith." But all this will be of little solace to the NDA, which was voted out of power on May 13.

UNI

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