He was a leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and was Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare (Independent Charge) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1998–99.

He was born on 24 June 1945 in Irumbedu village in Madurantakam taluk of Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu.

He was a recipient of the K Sainik Seva Medal from the president of India for meritorious service in the Indian Army.

Even while in the government service, he held key positions in the National Federation of Postal Union and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Employees Association Co-ordination Committee, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, besides launching the Dalit People's Front in 1980.

In March 1998, he was made Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare with independent charge in the Vajpayee Cabinet.