Born into a freedom fighter's family at Bargaon, Sambalpur district, Odisha in 1940, he has held various positions in the party as well in the government. He was thrice elected as a Member of Parliament from the Deogarh Parliamentary Constituency and was also a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly for two terms. He was a Cabinet Minister in Odisha from 1973 to 1977. He is regarded as an honest and straightforward politician. He is also known as 'Mr. Clean' in Odisha political circles for having a squeaky clean reputation. Good oratory skills, austere lifestyle and simple demeanour are seen as hallmarks of his personality. In his hometown, he is widely believed to be the person who was responsible for the establishment of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited at Sambalpur. He is also credited for getting the Railway Division for Sambalpur City.
Political career
Congress Party
He joined the party during his student days and rose quickly within its ranks. Was made the District Congress Committee President of Sambalpur District in 1967 while he was just 27 years old. This made him the youngest DCC president in the country. He has been in the party all through and has held several positions within the party. He is currently a member of the All India Congress Committee.
* Member of AICC Committee to Probe into the causes and circumstances of the debacle of the party in Punjab Assembly Elections
* Member of the AICC team to enquire into the communal disturbances in Rae Barielly in 1994
* Member of the AICC team to enquire into the communal disturbances in Ajmer in 1996
Pradesh Returning Officer -cum-Chairman State Election Authority for organizational election in Gujarat in 2006-07
Pradesh Returning Officer -cum-Chairman State Election Authority for organizational election in Gujarat in 2010
Odisha Legislative Assembly
Was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly twice from Sambalpur Assembly Constituency. Was made Cabinet Minister in 1973 by the then Chief Minister, Mrs. Nandini Satpathy at the age of 33 years. He was widely regarded to be the Youngest Cabinet Minister in India at that point of time. Handled portfolios of Revenue, Irrigation & Power, Law, Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies and Commerce.
Lok Sabha
Was rated as an excellent Parliamentarian and was given the responsibility by the party to speak on important debates. Because of his active participation in the house proceedings, he was made the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals and also made member of various important committees. He has held several positions while being in the Parliament like:
Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum & Chemicals
President, Odisha Colliery Mazdoor Sangh Mahanadi Coalfields Limited Sambalpur, Odisha. This Union is among the largest trade unions in Odisha with a membership of over 10,000 employees
Vice President of Indian National Mineworkers Federation
Member Trust Board of Gandhi Labour Foundation Puri
