![]() During college days he was connected by participation in public life through Dravidar Kazhagam founded by Periyar EVR. He has also contributed many articles to leading Tamil and English Dailies and magazines. He has been the President of Dr. Ambedkar Thinkers Forum in Perambalur. Also served as the Secretary of (i) Rationalist Forum, Perambalur; and (ii) Tamil Ilakkiya Peravai(Literary movement), Perambalur and District Secretary of DMK Party, Perambalur. He was elected to 11th Lok Sabha in the year 1996 and was re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha in the 2nd term in the year 1999. From 13 Oct. 1999 to 29 Sept. 2000, has served as the Union Minister of State, Rural Development and from 30 Sept. 2000 to 21 Dec. 2003 as the Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare. He was re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha for the 3rd term in the year 2004. He was appointed as the Union Cabinet Minister, Communications and Information Technology from 23 May 2004 - onwards. He got selected for the house for the 3rd time. In November 2010, he resigned from the Cabinet. |