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Economic reformer

NEW DELHI: Indian Commerce Minister P. Chidambaram, a leading proponent of economic reform, resigned on Wednesday from Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's government in protest over an electoral alliance, government officials said.

They said junior Industry Minister M. Arunachalam also quit. "They have both resigned," an official said.

Chidambaram and Arunachalam had vigorously opposed a decision by Rao's Congress party last week to strike an alliance with the governing party in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The resignations could seriously damage Congress' chances in the state, where the former ministers have their parliamentary constituencies.

Earlier, media reports said that the two were expected to run in general elections starting later this month under the banner of a rebel Congress faction which has linked up with a Tamil Nadu opposition party.-Reuter