 In the 2004 general election, he defeated the Congress candidate by a margin of 70,099 votes.Dr Paul has the unique record of contesting six elections within a span of seven years and winning four of them—all from the same constituency and that too as an Independent candidate with allegiance to Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).He was a member of the Standing Committee for the Ministry of External Affairs, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Railways, Committee of Privileges and the Press Council of India.