He contested Allahabad's seat for the 8th Lok Sabha against H. N. Bahuguna, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and won by one of the highest victory margins in general election history (68.2% of the vote).
Dia memperebutkan kursi Allahabad di 8th Lok Sabha melawan H. N. Bahuguna dan menang dengan salah satu margin kemenangan tertinggi dalam sejarah pemilihan umum (68,2 % suara).