A BNP leader died at the Alia Madrasa polling centre in Khulna Sadar this morning. The deceased, Mohibuzzaman Kochi, 55, was a former office secretary of Khulna city BNP. He resided on Haji Mohsin Road, By Lane, in the city. The incident occurred at around 8:10 am.

Yusuf Harun Majnu, former organising secretary of Khulna Sadar Thana BNP, alleged that tensions had been prevailing at the Alia Madrasa centre since morning. He claimed that the madrasa principal had been campaigning for Jamaat. “When he was obstructed, he pushed Mohibuzzaman Kochi, causing him to hit a tree. He sustained a head injury and died,” Majnu alleged.

However, Abdur Rahim Mia, principal of Khulna Alia Madrasa, denied the allegation. “I was returning home after casting my vote. At that time, I saw several people forcing women to leave. I asked everyone to leave. I didn’t push anyone,” he said.

SI Khan Faisal Rafi of Sadar Police Station, who was on duty at the centre, said that around 8:00 am, tensions arose between BNP and Jamaat supporters in front of the Alia Madrasa Academic Building centre. “We went to the spot and dispersed both sides. We saw one person being taken away in an auto-rickshaw. There was no incident of pushing or physical altercation,” he said.

Presiding Officer of the centre, Saiful Islam, said the incident took place outside the polling centre and was not within his jurisdiction.

Nazrul Islam Manju, BNP candidate for Khulna-2 constituency, alleged that Mohibuzzaman Kochi was killed after being pushed by a Jamaat leader at Alia Madrasa. He demanded the arrest of the Jamaat leader, Mahbub, in connection with the incident.