Lakhanpur (Munger): Lakhanpur village, which was surrounded by an air of anticipation for the past few days, was immersed in celebration on Tuesday as its most prominent son Samrat Chaudhary was unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader and later the NDA leader. with Nitish Kumar After stepping down from the post of Chief Minister, the village which once watched his rise from a distance is now on the verge of seeing him take charge of Bihar.For residents of Lakhanpur, located in the eastern region of the state, the moment carried a weight of history and emotions. As the news of Choudhary’s promotion spread, what started as worrying speculation turned into celebration. A co-villager described the feeling of pride at seeing the “son of the soil” ready to take over the reins of the state on Wednesday, saying, “It is a golden day for the residents of the village of Lakhanpur as well as other nearby districts besides Munger, Banka and Bhagalpur districts.”Villagers remembered the young boy who once played cricket on dusty fields and became a leader with statewide influence. Speaking fondly of his early years, two residents said that Chaudhary was fond of cricket since childhood and continued to pick up the bat even after entering politics. “Despite his busy schedule, he would go to the cricket grounds and also encourage sports in the village,” one of them said, painting a picture of such a leader.According to those who know him closely, his association with Lakhanpur remains a defining feature. Another resident said, “He is a simple man and whenever he is in his native village Lakhanpur he mingles with his fellow village residents like a normal man and without any hindrance of protocol.”Language has also been a bridge between Chaudhary and his people. Many villagers said that they prefer to speak in Angika, the local dialect of the area, while interacting with residents. He said he rarely confined himself indoors during visits, instead moving from one house to another, asking about people’s well-being and seeking suggestions on development needs. He believes such gestures have strengthened his bond with the community.Within the family, memories of his early political leanings remain fresh. An elder cousin recalled that Choudhary had shown a keen interest in politics from a young age, often engaging in discussions about state and national development with his father, former minister Shakuni Choudhary. “He learned the nuances of politics from his father,” the cousin said, adding with pride, “We always knew that he would become a great leader, and today he is going to become the CM of Bihar.”“Beyond politics, Chaudhary’s involvement with the village extended to social initiatives. A resident close to the family said they have been a constant source of support for local youth and families. Through a social organization called Nav Yuvak Sangh, he has contributed to community welfare, including assisting economically weaker families during the marriage of their daughters.Education has also been a focus for the family. Relatives and locals said institutions like 10+2 schools, B.Ed colleges and BPharm institutes operating in the area have helped reduce the need for students to go elsewhere for studies. He also credited Choudhary’s political acumen for strengthening the BJP’s position in the state over the years.As soon as the news of his promotion spread, there was an atmosphere of celebration in Lakhanpur. Residents expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar for supporting Chaudhary’s rise. Two villagers said, “It is like Diwali night for us. Ghee lamps will be lit in every house.” He said that upon his return the entire village would be decorated with flowers.Even those who worked in his house talked about his generosity. A staff member described the family as kind and helpful, saying that no one returned empty-handed. He also pointed to a historic village well, established in 1856 and later renovated, as an example of efforts made for the welfare of local people.By evening, as the significance of the moment dawned, Lakhanpur began to empty out in an unusual display of collective enthusiasm. Groups of villagers, including family members, quickly boarded vehicles bound for Patna, eager to stand beside their leader as he prepared to take the oath.