Having been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from his childhood, He started his political career in the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP). He was first elected as a municipal councillor and then, as president of the Udupi municipal council in 1968. This was the first ever victory of the Jana Sangh in an urban municipality in South India. The BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani later remarked that the Jana Sangh victory in the Udupi municipal council in 1968 laid foundation for the BJP rule in South India and particularly in the state of Karnataka. As the youngest municipal president of Udupi, he was hailed for his pro-active role in the development of the town. He remained municipal president for a period of 8 years and the Swarna river water supply system, Under ground drainage system, Town roads widening etc.were some of his achievements during this period. Under his presidency Udupi Municipality in 1968 became first in nation to ban carrying night soil by humans.