He was an eminent freedom fighter, able statesman, a remarkable administrator, an astute politician and a charismatic leader. He was elected as the president of Ganjam District Board in the year 1920and joined Non-Cooperation movement in response to the call of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 after giving up his lucrative law practice. He continued to be a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1921 to 1930. 

However, he gave up the membership in 1931 and joined the Salt Satyagraha. He led the peasant movement and fought for the creation of separate Orissa province. He had the distinction of being elected as Chief Minister of  Orissa. But he resigned on Nov 4, 1939 after the call of Indian National Congress. In 1950, he got elected to Lok Sabha and became the President of Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee. He was appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.