Bangalore: Power struggle, politicking and blame game are keeping state BJP leaders busy. And there is no one to pay attention to the problems faced by drought-hit people in the districts. The chief minister, his colleagues and party legislators should have been helping out people of 123 drought-affected taluks. Instead, they have camped in New Delhi and Bangalore and are happily engaged in mudslinging and power-grabbing. Shortage of foodgrains, power cuts, poor infrastructure and lack of drinking water and fodder for cattle are only some of the problems. The state has suffered a loss of Rs 5,964-crore due to crop failure and immediately needs 3 lakh tonnes of foodgrain. The rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR), agriculture, energy, horticulture and water resources departments are supposed to implement drought-relief measures. But ministers in charge of the departments have submitted their resignations to their leader BS Yeddyurappa, while the RDPR minister, who is eyeing the CM’s gaddi, is busy holding meetings with both rebel groups in the BJP. The CM and the energy minister are in New Delhi to meet their party bosses and argue their case. As for legislators, instead of monitoring relief work in their constituencies, they are flocking to houses of their leaders to show their loyalty. Ironically, just four days ago, Rajya Sabha members of the BJP had raised the severity of drought in Parliament and staged a walkout terming the Congress-led UPA government as ‘insensitive and heartless’. An expert team from the Centre is likely to visit Karnataka on Monday to assess the drought damage. If the members are not apprised properly, the state may lose out on the quantum of relief. “The government says it is supplying water through tankers. But we haven’t received it at all. We hardly get power in our village,’’ rued T P Puttaraju, resident of Thimmalapura in worst-hit Madhugiri taluk. Global meet doubtful as minister quits T he BJP government’s flagship event, the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM), seems to be a doubtful starter, thanks to political instability. The GIM’s third edition, just a few weeks away from now, looks uncertain with large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani, who was leading from the front, choosing to take a back seat. Nirani submitted his resignation to his mentor BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday. “Political instability is not conducive for investments. The state administration is not sending the right signal. Investors seek political stability to spur industrial growth. It’s time the government put its house in order and worked towards raising investors’ confidence,” FKCCI president R Bangera said. TNN