 He was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from the Surathkal constituency in 1985.He has also been actively involved in Trade union and labour right activism.Currently he is a Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization, Member of India-Europe Civil Society,Spokesperson of Worker's Group, International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, Vice President - Indian National Trade Union Congress(National), Trustee - New Mangalore Post Trust and President of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (Karnataka State).