He was a Member of Indian Parliament (specifically Lok Sabha, from Kairana (Lok Sabha constituency)) for two terms in 1989 and 1991.Harpal Panwar was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for Advancement of People's Action & Rural Technology (CAPART), Ministry of Rural Development with a status of Minister of State, Government of India in 1996.
He worked closely with the Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
He is a well known leader of western Uttar Pradesh, where he has been involved in various movements of farmers.
He has held several organizational positions in Congress Party at state and national level.
Harpal Panwar joined the BJP in the presence of Sh.