[2] He contested several parliamentary elections representing Nepali Congress but lost it all times: one in 1991, against popular leader Ram Krishna Acharya; a founding member of Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
Poudel entered politics in 1974 inspired by the social-democratic ideals of Nepali Congress.
[2] He actively participated in the People's Movement I (Jana Aandalon) of 1990, which led to the end of the Panchayat system and the removal of the ban on political parties.
In 2006, Poudel was arrested for organizing a protest rally in Kathmandu and chanting slogans like "ज्ञानेन्द्र चोर देश छोड", which literally means: Burglar King leave my country.
During the period of direct rule by King Gyanendra, he was arrested along with other party members during a protest rally on 18 February 2005.