• 1985: President, Municipal Council, Gondia (Maharashtra)

• 1991: Elected to 10th Lok Sabha

• 1991-96: Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Environment and Forests

• 1994-95: Member, Committee on Science and Technology

• 1995-96: Member, Committee on Home Affairs

• 1996: Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (2nd term)

• 1996-97: Member, Committee on Finance; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Civil Aviation

• 1998: Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (3rd term)

• 2000: Elected to Rajya Sabha

• 2004: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Civil Aviation

• 2006: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha (2nd term)

• 2009: Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (4th term)

• Till 18 Jan 2011: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Civil Aviation

• 19 Jan 2011 Onwards: Union Cabinet Minister, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises