Kochi, June 11 -- The Welfare Party of India (WPI), backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JIH) group, has announced support for the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath in the upcoming Nilambur Assembly bypoll in Kerala, triggering a war of words between the UDF and the ruling Communist Party (Marxist) (CPM)-led LDF.

WPI state president Rasaq Paleri justified the party's decision by claiming that public sentiments against the LDF regime were high.

"The contest in Nilambur is between the LDF and the UDF. This election is significant. For the past nine years, anti-people policies are being implemented. The election result here must underline the public dissatisfaction against the government. Our support to the UDF is uncondit...