<p>“What are you thinking about Mina?” asked my husband, seeing me lost in thought.</p>.<p>“Am reflecting on floors,” I replied.</p>.<p>My husband seemed floored for a moment, then quickly recovering, he said: “Oh, you mean the political story that’s all over the news; the Maharashtra Floor Test that never was!”</p>.<p>“Yes, that’s an interesting, crooked tale!”</p>.<p>“True,” I replied. “But my thoughts are nearer home; about the new flooring, for our house. It’s very important that we get the correct surface. It’s a matter of life and death.”</p>.<p>“Life and death - how so?”</p>.<p>“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Non-slippery floors - which one can tread on, safely. The problem is, how does one test the floor, while selecting?”</p>.<p>“That’s simple – just walk across and check it out.”</p>.<p>“That’s the rub. You and I are senior citizens. We can’t take chances, pacing any untested tiles.”</p>.<p>“I have an idea – why not call up these politicians? They are great at crossing floors. They’ll have no hesitation in coming over to help.”</p>.<p>“That’s brilliant, Anand. Yes, we need slippery characters to test the ground. Our <span class="italic">netas</span> are simply outstanding in that respect. What’s more, they have no issues in moving quickly, and changing sides - to achieve the purpose.”</p>.<p>“Indeed – they never seem embarrassed in any way, with their chameleon-like movements. One may say they don’t ever sink through the floor.”</p>.<p>“There’s a big snag though,” I said. “What’s that?” asked my husband.</p>.<p>“How do we induce these party men to come over and test our floor? I hear they demand huge sums, for these skilful manoeuvres. Not to mention five-star accommodations; a constant flow of Cordon Bleu food, and classy beverages; to get them through their labours.”</p>.<p>“Gosh – that’s a problem indeed. Wait, let me think…Got it! Why don’t’ we tempt them with a pretext of ideology? Say that we are fully ‘Hindutva’ in our thinking, and rope them in that way?”</p>.<p>“You think on your feet, Anand. Yes, that ploy may well work. Though it goes against the grain, to even pretend that we are ‘Hindutva’.” </p>.<p>“Then, why don’t we play the ED card?” </p>.<p>ED? Economic Development’? ‘Engineering Department’?</p>.<p>No – the “Enforcement Directorate. Let’s just tell them that we are from the ‘ED’; without explaining what it stands for. Just watch – they’ll come running!”</p>.<p>“Hilarious, Anand; yes, they’ll come rushing. And they can take the floor, from then on!”</p>
<p>“What are you thinking about Mina?” asked my husband, seeing me lost in thought.</p>.<p>“Am reflecting on floors,” I replied.</p>.<p>My husband seemed floored for a moment, then quickly recovering, he said: “Oh, you mean the political story that’s all over the news; the Maharashtra Floor Test that never was!”</p>.<p>“Yes, that’s an interesting, crooked tale!”</p>.<p>“True,” I replied. “But my thoughts are nearer home; about the new flooring, for our house. It’s very important that we get the correct surface. It’s a matter of life and death.”</p>.<p>“Life and death - how so?”</p>.<p>“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Non-slippery floors - which one can tread on, safely. The problem is, how does one test the floor, while selecting?”</p>.<p>“That’s simple – just walk across and check it out.”</p>.<p>“That’s the rub. You and I are senior citizens. We can’t take chances, pacing any untested tiles.”</p>.<p>“I have an idea – why not call up these politicians? They are great at crossing floors. They’ll have no hesitation in coming over to help.”</p>.<p>“That’s brilliant, Anand. Yes, we need slippery characters to test the ground. Our <span class="italic">netas</span> are simply outstanding in that respect. What’s more, they have no issues in moving quickly, and changing sides - to achieve the purpose.”</p>.<p>“Indeed – they never seem embarrassed in any way, with their chameleon-like movements. One may say they don’t ever sink through the floor.”</p>.<p>“There’s a big snag though,” I said. “What’s that?” asked my husband.</p>.<p>“How do we induce these party men to come over and test our floor? I hear they demand huge sums, for these skilful manoeuvres. Not to mention five-star accommodations; a constant flow of Cordon Bleu food, and classy beverages; to get them through their labours.”</p>.<p>“Gosh – that’s a problem indeed. Wait, let me think…Got it! Why don’t’ we tempt them with a pretext of ideology? Say that we are fully ‘Hindutva’ in our thinking, and rope them in that way?”</p>.<p>“You think on your feet, Anand. Yes, that ploy may well work. Though it goes against the grain, to even pretend that we are ‘Hindutva’.” </p>.<p>“Then, why don’t we play the ED card?” </p>.<p>ED? Economic Development’? ‘Engineering Department’?</p>.<p>No – the “Enforcement Directorate. Let’s just tell them that we are from the ‘ED’; without explaining what it stands for. Just watch – they’ll come running!”</p>.<p>“Hilarious, Anand; yes, they’ll come rushing. And they can take the floor, from then on!”</p>