Associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he entered active politics and served as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1977.
He was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh on 2 December 1999, serving until 23 November 2000 and, the following day, 24 November, was sworn in as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, where he served until 2004, less than a year before his death.