HYDERABAD. Apr 3 The BJP has decided not to field any candidate in Nandyal, from where Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao is contesting the Lok Sabha election, and appealed to all opposition par ties to put up a common can didate who "has the best chance of defeating Rao.' re ports PT1

Addressing a press conference here, the party general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu said there was need to avoid split in opposition votes by forging a broad understanding vVe admit we have limited strength there After assessing the situation thoroughly we will decide about whom to' support" he said, adding the party would offer unconditional support to the "best suitable" opposition candidate

The decision to this effect was taken by the party s cen tral committee to ensure defeat of Rao who. he alleged.

symbolised 'corrupt inefficient and unscrupulous regime"

Though BJP has not put across its proposals, of common candidate against Prime Minister before other opposition parties, it was only making an appeal to the opposition in view of the dire need to defeat Rao, he said

Reuter adds India s main opposition party said on Tuesday a leading member’s statement that it would test a nuclear device if It won coming general elections did not reelect party policy

The Aslan Wall Street Jour nal on Tuesday quoted KN Govlndacharya. general secre tan- of the Hindu nationalist Baharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as saying that the BJP If elected, would declare India a nuclear power and test a nu clear device

But a BJP spokesman said Govindacharya s comments on

a possible nuclear test did not reflect party policy

The policy is that we believe India should have its own nuclear deterrent. On testing, we have not taken a formal official stand. That will be de elded at the appropriate time."

Govindacharya could not be reached for comment. India tested an atomic bomb In 1974 but says it has chosen not to produce nuclear weapons

The BJP has long declared that If it came to power ft would develop a nuclear weapons system to meet per reived threats from neighbour China and Pakistan

National security is an elec tlon issue in India, with both the ruling Congress Party and the BJP hoping to attract votes from the rnostfy Hindu population by taking a hard line against Islamic Pakistan

Another Reuter report says: Indian Commerce Minister P

Chidambaram, a leading proponent of economic reform, resigned today from Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao s government. United News of India (UNI) said

The news agency said Ju nior Industry Minister M Arunchalam also resigned.

Both Chidambaram and Arunachalam had vigorously opposed a decision by Rao s Congress Party last week to strike an alliance with the gov erning party in Tamil Nadu State, where both politicians have their parliamentary con stituencies

Earlier media reported that the two were expected to run Us general elections starting after thia month under the banner of a rebel Congress fac tlon which has linked up with a Tamil Nadu opposition party

UNI said Rao had forwarded their resignations to President Shankar Dayal Sharma for his expected approval