UN Sri Lanka vote threatens India's government

NEW DELHI (AP) — A United Nations resolution criticizing the actions of Sri Lanka's government during its war against the Tamil Tigers has threatened India's shaky coalition government.

Early Tuesday, a key ally from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu said it had withdrawn its 18 members from the Congress-led government.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is demanding the government push for a strongly worded resolution at the United Nations. It also wants Parliament to condemn the Sri Lankan government.

The government has yet to say how India will vote.

Finance Minister P.Chidambaram insisted the defection of the Tamil party would not put the government at risk. National elections are not expected until next year.

The Congress-led coalition is already a minority government that leans heavily on small regional parties.