BNP leader dies of cardiac arrest amid election unrest

Khulna Correspondent :

A senior BNP leader died of an apparent cardiac arrest following tensions between rival supporters outside a polling centre in Khulna yesterday morning.

Mahibuzzaman Kochi, a former office secretary of Khulna city BNP, fell ill around 8:30am near the Alia Madrasa polling centre in Khulna Sadar. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Witnesses said a heated exchange broke out between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in front of the centre shortly after voting began. Amid the commotion, Kochi reportedly became unwell.

BNP leaders alleged that he sustained injuries during a scuffle and demanded the arrest of those responsible. Jamaat representatives, however, denied any physical altercation, claiming he suffered a heart attack.

Police officials on duty said they intervened promptly to defuse the tension and found no evidence of clashes. The presiding officer noted that the incident occurred outside the polling premises.

An emergency physician at Khulna City Medical College Hospital said Kochi was brought in dead and bore no visible signs of external injury.

The incident has sparked political blame-trading, adding to an already tense atmosphere surrounding the polls.