Bhagirath Choudhary
Bhagirath Choudhary (born c. 1955) is an Indian politician and agriculturist from Rajasthan affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He currently serves as the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, a position he assumed in June 2024 following his re-election to the Lok Sabha from the Ajmer constituency.[1][2][3] Choudhary's political career began in 2003 when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kishangarh in Ajmer district, a seat he retained in 2013. Transitioning to national politics, he won the Ajmer Lok Sabha seat in 2019 and defended it in 2024 with a margin exceeding 300,000 votes, reflecting strong voter support in a constituency marked by competitive elections. As an agriculturist by profession with a background in business and horticulture, his elevation to the agriculture ministry aligns with his longstanding advocacy for farmers' issues through his role as president of the BJP's Rajasthan Kisan Morcha.[1][2][1] In his ministerial capacity, Choudhary has focused on initiatives such as inaugurating processing units for millets (Shree Anna) to support farmer producer organizations and emphasizing post-harvest management, drawing on his regional expertise in arid agricultural zones. He has publicly criticized corruption in opposition-led administrations and expressed firm stances against terrorism, underscoring a commitment to governance reforms and national security. While no major personal controversies have dominated his record, his tenure reflects the BJP's broader emphasis on rural development and electoral consolidation in Rajasthan.[4][5][6]Early Life and Education
Family Background and Upbringing
Bhagirath Choudhary was born on 1 June 1954 in Manpura village, Ajmer district, Rajasthan, to Ramchandra Choudhary and Dakha Devi.[1] His father, Ramchandra Choudhary, and mother, Dakha Devi, both passed away prior to 2024.[1] No public records detail siblings or extended family structure.[1] Raised in rural Rajasthan, Choudhary's early life reflected the agrarian lifestyle prevalent in Ajmer's villages during the mid-20th century, where farming and horticulture formed the economic backbone for many families like his.[1] His professions as an agriculturist and horticulturist later aligned with this regional context, though specific childhood activities or family economic details remain sparsely documented in official biographies.[1]Formal Education and Early Influences
Bhagirath Choudhary obtained his formal education at Government College, Kishangarh, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree up to the second year, affiliated with Rajasthan University, Jaipur.[1] [7] He completed higher secondary education through the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education in 1972 prior to undergraduate studies.[8] Born on 1 June 1954 in Manpura village, Ajmer district, Rajasthan, into the family of Ramchandra Choudhary, Choudhary grew up in a rural agrarian environment that emphasized farming and horticulture as primary occupations.[1] [9] This background fostered an early grounding in agricultural realities, shaping his lifelong engagement with rural economic challenges and community leadership, as reflected in his later professional pursuits as an agriculturist and businessperson.[1] No specific mentors or ideological influences from his formative years are documented in official records, though his Jat community ties in Rajasthan's semi-arid regions likely reinforced practical orientations toward land-based livelihoods.[7]Entry into Politics
Initial Involvement in Local Politics
Choudhary, hailing from an agricultural family in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, initially engaged in local political activities through community leadership and farmer advocacy prior to formal electoral contests. From 1997 to 2007, he served as Chairman of the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha's Ajmer branch, focusing on social services that built grassroots support among the Jat community, which constitutes a significant agrarian voter base in the region.[7] His early efforts aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) emphasis on rural issues, particularly via involvement in the BJP Kisan Morcha, where he addressed local farmers' concerns such as irrigation, crop prices, and land rights in Kishangarh and surrounding areas.[10][2] This phase reflected a bottom-up approach, drawing on his personal experience as a horticulturist and agriculturist to mobilize support in rural constituencies.[1] These activities laid the foundation for his transition to electoral politics, enhancing his visibility and organizational skills within BJP's local networks in Rajasthan's arid agrarian belts.[11]Affiliation with Bharatiya Janata Party
Bhagirath Choudhary entered formal politics through his affiliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contesting the 2003 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections from the Kishangarh constituency on the party's ticket. He secured victory in that election, marking the beginning of his legislative career as a BJP member.[1] [2] His longstanding commitment to the BJP is evidenced by subsequent roles within the party, including serving as president of the Rajasthan BJP Kisan Morcha, a position focused on farmers' issues that aligns with his agricultural background.[2] [10] This affiliation has underpinned his progression from state assembly to Lok Sabha representation and ministerial appointments.[1]State-Level Political Career
Legislative Assembly Elections and Terms
Choudhary was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on two occasions, serving terms from 2003 to 2008 and 2013 to 2018.[1] His first term followed victory in the 2003 state assembly elections from the Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party amid the party's statewide sweep that ousted the incumbent Congress government.[1] In the subsequent 2008 elections, he sought re-election from Kishangarh but lost to Nathu Ram Sinodiya of the Indian National Congress, who polled 65,042 votes (32.11% of valid votes in the constituency).[12] Choudhary regained the seat in the 2013 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections, held on December 1 with results declared on December 8, securing victory for the BJP as part of its return to power in the state.[1][13] The Kishangarh seat changed hands in the 2018 elections to independent candidate Suresh Tak, with Choudhary not contesting that cycle.[14] He re-entered the fray as the BJP nominee in 2023 from Kishangarh, receiving 37,534 votes (17.32%), but was defeated by Vikash Choudhary of the Indian National Congress, who won by a margin of 3,620 votes.[15][16]| Election Year | Constituency | Party | Outcome | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Kishangarh | BJP | Won | Elected to first term; BJP formed government.[1] |
| 2008 | Kishangarh | BJP | Lost | Defeated by INC's Nathu Ram Sinodiya (65,042 votes).[12] |
| 2013 | Kishangarh | BJP | Won | Elected to second term; BJP regained power.[1] |
| 2023 | Kishangarh | BJP | Lost | 37,534 votes; margin of defeat 3,620 votes to INC.[15] |
Roles in Rajasthan BJP and Kisan Morcha
Bhagirath Choudhary holds the position of state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kisan Morcha in Rajasthan, leading the farmers' wing of the party at the organizational level.[2][17] In this capacity, he directs initiatives aimed at mobilizing rural voters and addressing agricultural concerns, continuing the role even after his 2019 election to Parliament and 2024 appointment as Union Minister of State.[18] As president, Choudhary has overseen key administrative actions, such as appointing district presidents across 34 districts in Rajasthan under directions from the state BJP leadership. Within the broader Rajasthan BJP, Choudhary's involvement predates his Kisan Morcha leadership, stemming from his two terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kishangarh constituency in 2003 and 2013, where he advanced party platforms on local governance and development.[2] These legislative stints positioned him as a key figure in the state unit, particularly among agrarian communities in Ajmer district, leveraging his background as an agriculturist to strengthen BJP's rural outreach.[1] His dual focus on party organization and farmers' issues has emphasized grassroots mobilization, including preparations for elections by appointing in-charges for Lok Sabha segments.[19]Parliamentary Career
Lok Sabha Elections and Representation
Bhagirath Choudhary first entered the Lok Sabha in the 2019 Indian general election, winning the Ajmer constituency in Rajasthan as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. He secured approximately 65.1% of the valid votes cast, defeating the Indian National Congress contender Raghu Sharma by a margin reflecting strong voter support in the general category seat.[20][1] This victory marked his transition from state-level politics to national representation, where he has served as the Member of Parliament for Ajmer since May 2019. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Choudhary was re-elected from Ajmer, polling 747,462 votes (741,151 via electronic voting machines and 6,311 postal ballots), achieving a decisive win over Indian National Congress candidate Ramchandra Choudhary by a margin of 329,991 votes.[21][22] The election occurred on April 26, 2024, with results declared on June 4, 2024, underscoring sustained BJP dominance in the constituency amid a competitive national contest.[2]| Election Year | Party | Votes Secured | Vote Share (%) | Margin of Victory | Opponent (Party) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | BJP | ~801,697 | 65.1 | ~369,999 | Raghu Sharma (INC) |
| 2024 | BJP | 747,462 | N/A | 329,991 | Ramchandra Choudhary (INC) |
Key Contributions in Parliament
In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024), Choudhary maintained perfect attendance at 100% of sessions, surpassing the national average of 79%.[24] He participated in 77 debates, exceeding the national average of 46.7, and posed 204 questions to the government, focusing on issues affecting Rajasthan such as foodgrain allocation under public distribution systems, rural infrastructure, and agricultural support.[24] [24] For instance, on April 5, 2023, he questioned the allocation of foodgrains to Rajasthan amid distribution challenges.[24] His interventions often highlighted constituency-specific needs in Ajmer, including demands for improved rail connectivity—such as train stoppages at stations like Kishangarh and Nasirabad—and water supply enhancements in arid regions.[24] Choudhary raised these in special mentions and debates, advocating for central assistance to bolster local agriculture and horticulture, sectors central to Rajasthan's economy.[24] He introduced no private members' bills during this term.[24] Following his re-election in 2024 and appointment as Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in June 2024, Choudhary's parliamentary role shifted to representing the government's positions.[23] On February 4, 2025, he informed the Lok Sabha that 2,661 climate-resilient crop varieties had been developed between 2014 and 2024 to address environmental stresses like drought and heat.[25] He emphasized advancements in genome-edited rice varieties for water and fertilizer efficiency in August 2025, underscoring their role in sustainable farming.[26] These responses aligned with broader initiatives like the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, which he referenced in addressing rising temperature impacts on July 30, 2024.[27]Ministerial Roles
Appointment as Union Minister of State
Bhagirath Choudhary, the Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament from Ajmer, Rajasthan, was inducted as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on 9 June 2024.[1] This appointment occurred during the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third council of ministers following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.[28] Choudhary took the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.[29] The induction came shortly after Choudhary's re-election to the 18th Lok Sabha from the Ajmer constituency, where he secured victory in the elections held on 7 May 2024.[1] His selection for the ministerial role underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party's emphasis on rewarding loyalists with experience in farmer-related organizations, given his prior leadership in the Rajasthan BJP Kisan Morcha.[2] The portfolio allocation was officially announced by the Prime Minister's Office on 10 June 2024, confirming Choudhary's responsibilities under Cabinet Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.[30]Focus on Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
Bhagirath Choudhary, serving as Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare since June 2024, has prioritized reducing production costs while enhancing farmers' incomes through technological interventions and sustainable practices.[31] He has advocated for soil testing and the adoption of advanced tools to improve soil quality and agricultural productivity, emphasizing that farmers should treat agriculture as an enterprise.[32] In March 2025, Choudhary commended government schemes such as the National Food Security Act, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for supporting agricultural development.[33] Choudhary has focused on promoting climate-resilient crops like millets, inaugurating the Shree Anna Processing and Training Unit for a Farmers Producer Organization in March 2025 to bolster millet production and nutritional security.[4] He has supported initiatives for quality seed development, particularly for pulses such as moong and urad, as stated in August 2025.[34] Additionally, efforts to upgrade agricultural technology and foster organic and natural farming have been highlighted, with Choudhary urging a shift toward sustainable methods to preserve soil health and ensure long-term viability.[35][36][37] In June 2025, Choudhary asserted that political interference should not hinder farmers' prosperity, crediting the government with unprecedented assistance for agricultural growth.[38] He has engaged with institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), visiting facilities such as ICAR-CIPhET in October 2025 to acknowledge contributions to campaigns like Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan and maize suitability enhancements.[39][40] These activities align with broader objectives, including a convergent Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem for farmers under national missions.[41]Policy Positions and Initiatives
Advocacy for Farmers and Agriculture Reforms
Bhagirath Choudhary has long advocated for farmers' welfare through his leadership as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajasthan Kisan Morcha, where he mobilized rural voters and promoted policies enhancing agricultural productivity and income security. In this capacity, he emphasized grassroots engagement to align farmer interests with national development goals, including support for market-oriented reforms to reduce intermediaries and improve price realization.[42][17] As Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare since July 2024, Choudhary has championed government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), which has disbursed over ₹3.90 lakh crore directly to farmers' accounts by October 2025, alongside hikes in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) that have doubled for key crops since 2014. He has credited these measures with unprecedented support, including expanded crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, aimed at mitigating risks from weather and market volatility. Choudhary has argued that such direct benefit transfers empower farmers financially, enabling investments in modern inputs without dependency on exploitative middlemen.[43][44][45] Choudhary advocates integrating technology into farming to enhance soil health and productivity, urging adoption of precision agriculture tools for sustainable practices that reduce input costs and environmental degradation. He has called for concrete policies fostering long-term farmer development, including value addition in crops like millets through initiatives such as the Shree Anna processing units inaugurated under his oversight, which provide training in processing to boost incomes. In addressing protests, he has invited dialogue to resolve grievances, insisting that political interference should not obstruct prosperity derived from evidence-based reforms.[32][46][47][48]