Bengaluru:  Even as Narendra Modi is set to take oath as Prime Minister for the second term on May 30 following the BJP’s emphatic victory in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, top BJP leaders including B.S. Yeddyurappa (BSY) and R. Ashok called on former Chief Minister and veteran BJP leader S.M. Krishna (SMK) at the latter’s Sadashivanagar residence here yesterday.

Shortly after State BJP Chief Yeddyurappa and the newly-elected Independent MP from Mandya Sumalatha Ambarish arrived at Krishna’s residence, rebel Congress MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi and Dr. K. Sudhakar too turned up at the former Union Minister’s residence, which has given rise to suspicions on their future political plans. Ramesh Jarkiholi and Sudhakar are said to have held talks with Krishna BSY and Ashok for over 30 minutes.

The talks were mainly focussed on bringing down the JD(S)-Congress coalition Government in the State, it is learnt.

Before meeting Krishna, Gokak Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is purportedly leading the Congress dissident camp, reportedly held talks with another rebel MLA Mahesh Kumthalli from Athani.

Meanwhile, State BJP Chief Yeddyurappa dismissed reports on Operation Lotus as mere speculations. Referring to the visit of rebel Congress MLAs to the residence of Krishna, Yeddyurappa said that the duo are fans of Krishna and as such they had come to meet the veteran leader.

Maintaining that their (BSY & Ashok) meeting with the rebel Congress duo was merely co-incidence, Yeddyurappa asserted that the meeting was not part of Operation Lotus.

Ramesh Jarkiholi and Dr. Sudhakar react

Amidst intense speculations on Operation Lotus, Ramesh Jarkiholi said on Sunday that if at all he wishes to quit the Assembly, then his entire group would quit.

Speaking to press persons at Krishna’s residence, Ramesh claimed that he did not hold political talks with the senior BJP leader.

Maintaining that he had visited Krishna to enquire about his health, Ramesh reiterated that he would not be a loner in quitting the Assembly as the entire rebel group would quit en masse, if the situation demands. He also said that he would inform the media well before he quits. Chikkaballapur MLA Dr. K. Sudhakar said that he visited Krishna to enquire about his health.

He further said that Krishna was a senior politician and commands respect from across political parties.