Rebel Cong leader Ramesh Jarkhiholi visits Krishna, sparks

Amid perceived threat to the coalition government in Karnataka after its rout in the Lok Sabha polls, rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi Sunday visited senior BJP leader S M Krishna's home here in the presence of party state Chief B S Yeddyurappa.

Though the leaders termed the timing as "coincidence", Jarkiholi, in response to a question on whether he would quit Congress, said he would have to discuss it with his "team".

Jarkiholi has been hobnobbing with the BJP for some time and had threatened to resign from the party along with some MLAs after the Lok Sabha polls, which would lead to a numbers game in the assembly.

Speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi called Krishna his "leader" and said he paid a visit to inquire about his health and was not aware that Yeddyurappa was also visiting him.

In response to a question about his resignation, Jarkiholi said "will give (resignation)...will not give it through media, will (discuss with) well wishers and give...

I won't say (when)...I may even give after one year (he said, upset over repeated questioning).

"...we are a team, Im not alone. Will have to inform everyone and do it (resign) together,"he said, as he clarified that his visit had nothing to do with politics.

He evaded a direct reply to a question on the number of MLAs he claimed were with him and shot back "Will you (media) inform and go for a sting operation?
To a question if that meant he was involved in any secret operation, he said "...I'm giving an example, don't confuse. I won't say anything else."
We did not discuss anything about it.We only sat together and had coffee at Krishnas residence and greeted each other."
Our visit was just a coincidence. There was no politics involved."