BY DILIP BOBB

Party Game

It's that time of the year again; the silly season when any excuse to have a party will do (witness Mulayam Singh Yadav), and the entertainment scene hots up, specially in Delhi where farce and tragi-comedy dominate the proceedings. The biggest challenge is how to keep everyone occupied. Government bungalows are one answer, but there are a host of other party games which can keep the hoi polloi happy. Here are some suggestions:

Musical Chairs: A perennial crowd-pleaser, this party game has become increasingly popular since the participation of minority governments added to the excitement. Past occupants -- Chandra Shekhar, Narasimha Rao, Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral -- have all lost their seats as a result. Current contenders are G.K. Moopanar whose name is floated as prime minister every year -- the average tenure of governments since 1989 -- even though no one really wants him. His title is being fiercely challenged by Laloo Prasad Yadav who is only wanted by the bjp, and Mulayam Singh Yadav who is not even wanted in Uttar Pradesh, let alone by the electorate.

Pass the Parcel: a.k.a. passing the buck, a game where sleight of hand and duplicity of intention are the keys. Unchallenged champion is Sitaram Kesri who kept everyone, including his own team, guessing as he passed on letter after letter to the prime minister before posting it to the proper address -- Rashtrapati Bhavan. The game is a big draw at birthday parties, except that the title holder keeps forgetting his own birthday.

Blind Man's Bluff: Another perennial party game, recently perfected by Kalyan Singh in Uttar Pradesh. The idea is to blindfold the opposing players and lead them up the garden path. Currently being played by L.K. Advani and A.B. Vajpayee with fence-sitters in the Congress by promising them the ultimate political perk; a white ambassador with a revolving red light. Successful only if someone doesn't call their bluff.

Trivial Pursuits: Marketed by the Congress which imported the game from Italy. The idea is to create an imaginary saviour in times of crisis so that the party doesn't fall flat -- on its collective face. Current champion is Arjun Singh for whom all roads lead to Rome, or, in this case, 10 Janpath. Closest contenders are Mani Shankar Aiyar, who still hears his Master's Voice, and V. George who is frustrated by the fact that his political future remains Sonia and yet so far.

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