[3] In 1990, Alok joined the Narmada Bachao Andolan,[4] and for the last three decades, has been a key activist in building up this social movement and struggle of tribals, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights workers against the construction of big dams being built across the Narmada river in Central India and for securing the rights and improved rehabilitation for the millions of farmers and tribals displaced by these dams.

Since January 2014, he is also a member of the Aam Aadmi Party of India and contested[5] the Lok Sabha 2014 polls from Khandwa Parliamentary Constituency in Madhya Pradesh.

[6][7] In September 2013, Alok's team of Narmada Bachao Andolan led another Jal Satyagraha in three districts of Madhya Pradesh – Khandwa, Dewas and Harda, to press their demands of maintaining the height of the Indirasagar to 260 meters.

Considering the need for a common front to respond to the multiple kinds of problems faced by the farmers, tribals and workers of the region, Alok's team helped form the "Nimar - Malwa Kisan Mazdoor" organization.

On 15 July 2018 Arvind Kejriwal announced Alok Agarwal as Chief Minister face from Aam Aadmi Party for upcoming Vidhansabha Election.