For the residents of Daganbhuiyan, the long-standing political drought has finally broken. After fifty-four years of independence, the sub-district has secured its first-ever Member of Parliament (MP) who also holds a senior cabinet rank. The historic victory belongs to Abdul Awal Mintoo, the Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose appointment as a full minister in the newly formed Tarique Rahman administration has sparked widespread jubilation across the Feni-3 constituency.
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A Landslide Victory
In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Mr Mintoo achieved a resounding mandate, securing 157,425 votes. He defeated his closest rival, Dr Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik of the Jamaat-e-Islami, who garnered 108,163 votes. This victory margin of nearly 50,000 votes underscores the local population’s desire for direct representation from their own soil.
The following table provides a breakdown of the election results for the Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan-Sonagazi) seat:
| Candidate Name | Political Affiliation | Votes Received |
| Abdul Awal Mintoo | BNP | 157,425 |
| Dr Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik | Jamaat-e-Islami | 108,163 |
| Winning Margin | — | 49,262 |
Breaking a Half-Century Legacy of Neglect
Historically, the Feni-3 seat—encompassing nine unions of Sonagazi and eight unions of Daganbhuiyan—has predominantly been represented by candidates hailing from Sonagazi or Feni Sadr. This geographic imbalance led to a sense of systemic neglect within Daganbhuiyan. Since the landmark 1970 elections, the constituency has seen shifts between the Awami League, Jatiya Party, and BNP, but the “Daganbhuiyan factor” remained dormant until now.
On Wednesday, the streets of the sub-district were transformed by celebratory processions led by the Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal. Under the leadership of Jamshedur Rahman Fatik, locals distributed sweets and marched in honour of their new representative.
A Portfolio for the Future
Abdul Awal Mintoo, a two-time former President of the FBCCI and a titan of Bangladeshi industry, has been entrusted with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. His appointment is viewed as a strategic selection, given his international standing and administrative acumen.
Constituents hold high expectations for his tenure, specifically regarding:
Infrastructure: Modernising the 171-kilometre road network within Daganbhuiyan.
Education: Developing infrastructure for female-led educational institutions in the northern reaches.
Climate Resilience: Implementing sustainable drainage solutions to mitigate chronic waterlogging.
A Dynasty of Public Service
The Mintoo family is deeply rooted in local governance. His father, the late Haji Shafi Ullah, served as the Daganbhuiyan Upazila Chairman, and his brother, Akbor Hossain, currently serves as the Municipal Mayor. This tradition extends to the next generation; his eldest son, Tabith Awal, is a prominent member of the BNP Executive Committee and the President of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
As the region borders the industrial hubs of Mirsarai to the south and Noakhali to the west, residents believe that Mintoo’s dual role as MP and Minister will finally provide the “sustainable, appropriate, and effective” planning required to turn Daganbhuiyan into a modern economic powerhouse.