Ali Reza Raju, a former lawmaker, died from kidney diseases in the capital's United Hospital yesterday, aged 71.

He had been kept on a life support for the last several days, said his brother Rajek Ahmed. He left behind his wife, two sons, and two daughters.

Born in 1945 in Jessore Sadar upazila, the former district Awami League president was elected MP from Jessore-3 constituency in 1996. Raju had also long been with BNP.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at his death, reports BSS.