{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}} {{Short description|Indian politician (1945–2025)}} {{Infobox Indian politician | name = Sona Ram Choudhary | honorific_prefix = Colonel | office1 = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha<br/>for Barmer-Jaisalmer | term_start1 = 2014 | term_end1 = 2019 | predecessor1 = Harish Chaudhary | successor1 = Kailash Choudhary | term_start2 = 1996 | term_end2 = 2004 | predecessor2 = Ram Niwas Mirdha | successor2 = Manvendra Singh | assembly3 = Rajasthan Legislative | constituency_AM3 = Baytoo | term_start3 = 2008 | term_end3 = 2013 | predecessor3 = | successor3 = Kailash Choudhary | birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1945|3|31}} | birth_place = Mohangarh, Jaisalmer | death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2025|8|20|1945|3|31}} | death_place = New Delhi, India | party = Indian National Congress <ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=Rajasthan: Former BJP MP Sonaram Choudhary returns to Congress |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/rajasthan/rajasthan-former-bjp-mp-sonaram-choudhary-returns-to-congress-2757799 |access-date=2023-11-05 |newspaper=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> | other_party = Bharatiya Janata Party | children = | allegiance = {{flagu|India}} | branch = {{army|India}} | branch_label = Branch | service_years = | service_years_label = Service years | rank = 25px Colonel | unit = {{ubil|{{flagicon image|In^ce.gif}} Indian Army Corps of Engineers}} | image = | image_size = }}
Colonel '''Sona Ram Choudhary''' (31 March 1945 – 20 August 2025) was an Indian Army officer and politician from Rajasthan.<ref name="w910">{{cite web |last1=व्यास |first1=श्रीकांत |last2=द्विवेदी |first2=गौरव कुमार |date=21 August 2025 |title=कद्दावर नेता कर्नल सोनाराम चौधरी का निधन, दिल्ली के अपोलो अस्पताल में ली आखिरी सांस |url=https://rajasthan.ndtv.in/rajasthan-news/former-mp-colonel-sonaram-chaudhary-passed-away-in-delhi-apollo-hospital-9127748 |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=rajasthan.ndtv.in |language=hi}}</ref> He was a four term Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha for Barmer. He was also elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Baytoo. A popular leader of Marwar,<ref>[https://archive.today/20120711155937/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?644671 Jat Mahasabha Backs Ashok Gehlot for CM Post]</ref> his career spanned both military service and active politics. He was a member of the Indian National Congress.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajasthan: Former BJP MP Sonaram Choudhary returns to Congress |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/rajasthan/rajasthan-former-bjp-mp-sonaram-choudhary-returns-to-congress-2757799 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life and military career== Choudhary was born on 31 March 1945 in Mohangarh town of Jaisalmer.<ref name="f969">{{cite web | last=Srivastava | first=Sanjay Kumar | title=चार बार सांसद रहे कर्नल सोनाराम का निधन, जैसलमेर के मोहनगढ़ में होगा आज अंतिम संस्कार | website=Patrika News | date=21 August 2025 | url=https://www.patrika.com/barmer-news/farmer-leader-four-time-mp-colonel-sona-ram-passed-away-jaisalmer-mohangarh-last-rites-performed-today-19880647 | language=hi | access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=e−Rajasthan |date=2025-08-21 |title=कर्नल सोनाराम का जैसलमेर के मोहनगढ़ में किसान समुदाय के बीच अंतिम संस्कार |url=https://news.e-raj.in/colonel-sonaram-last-rituals/ |access-date=2025-08-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He obtained a B.E. degree from M.B.M. Engineering College, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)<ref>{{Cite web |last=e−Rajasthan |date=2025-08-21 |title=कर्नल सोनाराम का जैसलमेर के मोहनगढ़ में किसान समुदाय के बीच अंतिम संस्कार |url=https://news.e-raj.in/colonel-sonaram-last-rituals/ |access-date=2025-08-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and was a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (F.I.E.).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Col. Sonaram Choudhary(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- GUDHA MALANI(BARMER) - Affidavit Information of Candidate: |url=https://www.myneta.info/Rajasthan2023/candidate.php?candidate_id=464 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=www.myneta.info}}</ref> He passed out of the Indian Military Academy in 1966 and was commissioned as Lieutenant in the Indian Army Corps of Engineers into, 55th Engineers Regiment of Bengal Sappers of the Indian Army. He served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 on the Eastern Front. He retired from the Army as a Colonel in 1994.<ref name="s907" />
== Political career == After retiring from the Indian Army, Sona Ram entered politics and joined the Indian National Congress in 1994. Sona Ram rose as an influential leader from western Rajasthan and secured a place in national politics. In the 1996 general election, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency. He retained the seat in the 1998 and 1999 elections, serving three consecutive terms as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.<ref name="s907" /> During his tenure, Sona Ram was part of several parliamentary committees, including the Standing Committee on Defence and the Consultative Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, where he contributed to matters of national security and energy policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLA Sonaram Choudhary (MLA) |url=https://rajasthanlink.com/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Rajasthan Link |language=English}}</ref>
In the 2004 general election, Sona Ram faced a setback when he lost the Barmer seat to Manvendra Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-19 |title=Will Manvendra Singh repeat his 2004 Barmer Lok Sabha win for Cong in 2019? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/will-manvendra-singh-repeat-his-2004-barmer-lok-sabha-victory-for-congress-in-2019/story-eM2sidfIrilwUIuV5RyAVJ.html |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Shifting his focus to state politics, he contested the 2008 Rajasthan Assembly elections and was elected as the MLA from Baytoo, serving in the state legislature until 2013. His grassroots connect and standing as a Jat leader kept him relevant in the political landscape of Marwar.<ref>{{Cite news |last=De |first=Amar |date=2004-03-14 |title=Cong regains its hold among Jats in Rajasthan |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cong-regains-its-hold-among-jats-in-rajasthan/articleshow/559000.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-08-21 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |quote=Prominent Jat leaders, including Sis Ram Ola, Balram Jakhar and Col Sona Ram are now busy building up the base for the party.}}</ref>
Ahead of the 2014 general election, Sona Ram joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP chose him as its candidate for the Barmer-Jaisalmer seat, sidelining veteran leader Jaswant Singh, who contested as an independent. Riding on the BJP wave, Choudhary won the election and returned to the Lok Sabha, where he served another term from 2014 to 2019.<ref name="y345">{{cite web |last=Sanyal |first=Prasad |date=25 March 2014 |title=In Barmer, it's BJP vs Jaswant Singh. Sona Ram files nomination |url=https://www.ndtv.com/elections-news/in-barmer-its-bjp-vs-jaswant-singh-sona-ram-files-nomination-555041 |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref>
After nearly a decade with the BJP, Choudhary rejoined the Congress party in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Rajasthan MP Sonaram Choudhary Quits BJP, Returns To Congress |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-rajasthan-mp-sonaram-choudhary-quits-bjp-returns-to-congress-4548232 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210085118/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-rajasthan-mp-sonaram-choudhary-quits-bjp-returns-to-congress-4548232 |archive-date=2024-12-10 |access-date=2025-08-21 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> He was fielded by the party in the Gudamalani constituency during the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections, but he was defeated by BJP’s K.K. Vishnoi. Despite the loss, he remained a respected political figure, remembered for his influence in the Jat community and his long career spanning both national and state politics.<ref name="o658">{{cite web |last1=आचार्य |first1=भूपेश |last2=मित्तल |first2=पुलकित |date=21 August 2025 |title=रिफाइनरी के पचपदरा जाने की वजह बने थे सोनाराम चौधरी, गहलोत सरकार के लिए सिरदर्द बन गया था उनका प्रदर्शन |url=https://rajasthan.ndtv.in/rajasthan-news/colonel-sonaram-chaudhary-death-marwar-ka-khara-sona-journey-soldier-politician-9129206 |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=rajasthan.ndtv.in |language=hi}}</ref>
=== Jat reservation agitation and Pachpadra refinery issue === Choudhary was a supporter of the Jat reservation movement and, even while in the Congress, consistently raised the community’s demands before the central government. His outspoken style made him popular among the people. As an MLA from Baytu, he led a agitation against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s government over the Pachpadra refinery issue, which created political turmoil and even prompted Minister Hemaram Choudhary to offer his resignation. Within politics, his sharp differences with his own party and leaders often drew attention, while his close ties with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were well known.<ref name="o6582">{{cite web |last1=आचार्य |first1=भूपेश |last2=मित्तल |first2=पुलकित |date=21 August 2025 |title=रिफाइनरी के पचपदरा जाने की वजह बने थे सोनाराम चौधरी, गहलोत सरकार के लिए सिरदर्द बन गया था उनका प्रदर्शन |url=https://rajasthan.ndtv.in/rajasthan-news/colonel-sonaram-chaudhary-death-marwar-ka-khara-sona-journey-soldier-politician-9129206 |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=rajasthan.ndtv.in |language=hi}}</ref>
== Awards == He received three honors: the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) from the President of India, a Commendation from the Chief of Army Staff, and a Commendation from the Chief of Air Staff.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-21 |title=Army veteran and four-time MP Col. Sonaram Choudhary passes away at 80 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-veteran-and-four-time-mp-col-sonaram-choudhary-passes-away-at-80-10202955/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
== Death == Choudhary died from a heart attack in New Delhi, on 20 August 2025, at the age of 80.<ref name="s907">{{cite web |date=21 August 2025 |title=Congress leader and four-time MP Colonel Sonaram passes away: Breathes his last in Delhi hospital after being admitted with chest pain |url=https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/local/rajasthan/news/congress-leader-and-four-time-mp-colonel-sonaram-passes-away-breathed-his-last-in-delhi-hospital-after-being-admitted-with-chest-pain-135724588.html |access-date=21 August 2025 |website=Bhaskar English |quote=Colonel Sonaram Choudhary completed his BE, Fellow (FIE) from Jodhpur. After this, he joined the Indian Army in 1966. He also contributed to the 1971 war on the Eastern Front. He took VRS in 1994 and joined politics.}}</ref> He was cremated with full army honours at Mohangarh town of Jaisalmer district.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-22 |title=Col Sonaram laid to rest in Jaisalmer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/col-sonaram-laid-to-rest-in-jaisalmer/articleshow/123460151.cms |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=e−Rajasthan |date=2025-08-21 |title=कर्नल सोनाराम का जैसलमेर के मोहनगढ़ में किसान समुदाय के बीच अंतिम संस्कार |url=https://news.e-raj.in/colonel-sonaram-last-rituals/ |access-date=2025-08-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{16th LS members from Rajasthan |state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhary, Sona Ram}} Category:1945 births Category:2025 deaths Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Rajasthan Category:People from Barmer district Category:Lok Sabha members from Rajasthan Category:Members of Parliament from Barmer Category:India MPs 1996–1997 Category:India MPs 1998–1999 Category:India MPs 1999–2004 Category:Rajasthan MLAs 2008–2013 Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Rajasthan Category:India MPs 2014–2019 Category:Colonels (military rank) Category:M.B.M. University alumni