After throwing a virtual challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party's [Images] prime ministerial candidate L K Advani [Images] by stating that he may contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Thursday sprang a surprise when he visited the former for a luncheon meet.

"Shekhawat visited Advani at his residence today and spent about two hours with him. He also had lunch with the senior leader," informed a source close to Advani.

Shekhawat, a former BJP leader who had to quit the party when he became vice-president, had embarrassed the saffron brigade soon after the Rajasthan assembly elections in December, when he announced that he may contest the elections.

When asked if he could be the BJP's prime ministerial candidate as he was older to Advani, Shekhawat, 86, had given an ambiguous answer. He had also demanded a thorough inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the erstwhile BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje, who is considered close to Advani.

Today's meeting assumes significance as Advani and Shekhawat had not met since the controversy. Advani had maintained silence on Shekhawat's outburst. Last month, Shekhawat declared that he would not contest the polls due to ill-health.