Mahibuzzaman Kochi, a former BNP leader, died amid tension and scuffles at Alia Madrasha polling centre in Khulna  city on Thursday morning.

The deceased is Kochi, former office secretary of Khulna Metropolitan BNP and he used to live on Haji Mohsin Road by-lane in the city.

Witnesses said tensions arose between BNP and Jamaat supporters near the academic building of the centre around 8:00 am.

Yusuf Harun Majnu, former organising secretary of BNP in Khulna Sadar,  said, “There was tension at the centre since morning. The principal of Alia Madrasha was campaigning for Jamaat. When we tried to stop him, he pushed Mahibuzzaman Kochi, who hit his head on a tree. That caused his death.”

Mahbubur Rahman, Jamaat’s  centre coordinator, said, “Our female workers were being removed by BNP supporters. I intervened, and then one person fell ill. Later we heard he had died. There was no pushing or fighting. The madrasha’s CCTV will show everything.”

Presiding officer Saiful Islam said the incident occurred outside the centre and was beyond his responsibility.

SI Khan Foysal Rafi of Khulna Sadar said, “We went to the scene as soon as tension arose and removed both sides. One person was seen being taken outside in a CNG.”

Dr. Partha Roy, emergency medical officer at Khulna City Medical College Hospital, said Kochi was brought dead to the hospital and there were no signs of injury on his body.

BNP candidate for Khulna-2, Nazrul Islam Manju, alleged, “BNP leader Kochi was killed by a push from a Jamaat leader at Alia Madrasha. We demand the arrest of the principal and Jamaat leader Mahbub.”

Sheikh Jahangir Alam, chief agent of Jamaat’s candidate in Khulna-2, said, “He died of a heart attack. It is unfortunate that Jamaat is being dragged into this. The principal is not associated with Jamaat.”