Khulna, Feb. 12 -- 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 coo...