Jalpaiguri (PTI): The death of a man reportedly in a road mishap sparked a row at Madarihat gram panchayat area in Jalpaiguri district on Sunday with Opposition parties alleging he was murdered on the eve of rural polls.

Police said Sattar Ali, who was found dead on the National Highway 31 in the wee hours, was possibly run over by a vehicle while crossing the road.

Ali was not an active member of any political party, police said.

However, his son later lodged an FIR at Madarihat police station alleging that his father had been murdered but did not allude to any political motive.

Some Opposition parties also made the same allegation.

Local CPI(M) leadership said polling was progressing smoothly in the area and there was no report of any casualty on any side.