He is the first and only person not of a Rajput background who has served as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

[2] His political career began in 1963 when he was elected as a Panch in the Gram panchayat for Garhjamula.

He was subsequently elected as a member of the Panchayat Samiti in Bhawarna and then was president of Zilla Parishad in Kangra from 1965 to 1970.

[5] He had enforced "No Work, No Pay" policy during his second term as Chief Minister for strongly dealing with the striking government employees.

[12] His wife died in December 2020 due to coronavirus at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda.