His political career started with Socialist Party and later he joined Indian National Congress.

Thereafter, he served as minister in cabinet of both Sripati Mishra and Narayan Dutt Tiwari.

Kushwaha also played significant role in implementation of Twenty Point Programme of Government of India.

According to the official document of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Kanpur Rural region topped the indices gauging state's development on various fronts; this district was at forefront in implementation of various developmental schemes and later it came into existence as a separate region, due to efforts of Kushwaha.

Besides setting up industrial plants, his tenure is also known for beautification of various river banks in order to promote tourism.

As per SIT report, Raghavendra was one of the prime accused of the riots in Kanpur district, who instigated the mob as well as led them to attack Sikh people in the violence which followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.