New Delhi: Number 13 once again proved unlucky for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Assembly elections in Maharashtra were held on October 13 and the results today (Oct 16, 2004) dashed the hopes of the saffron combine of BJP-Shiv Sena coming back to power in the State.

The BJP, which once used to boast that "13" was an lucky number for it as also its leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, lost the Lok Sabha polls early this year, whose votes were counted on May 13.

The saffron combine had unsuccessfully pleaded with the Election Commission that the Maharashtra polls be deferred as October 13 was "Sarva Pitri Amavasya" when Hindus make offering to their forefathers.