He was state minister for Forest and Soil Conservation of Nepal.

He became active in politics while studying bachelor's degree in Tri Chandra College against Panchayat System.

He was captured while planning to attack by force in Okhaldhunga.

Gopal Rai was born and raised in Okhaldhunga.

[1] He died in a MI-17 chopper accident at Ghunsa, Taplejung in Nepal during World Wide Fund for Nature program with other 23 passengers including his wife Mina Rai on 23 September 2006.