Career
He first got elected to 12th Lok Sabha in a by-election held on 25 November 1998 from the Bharuch Parliamentary Constituency of Gujarat, once a stronghold of Congress President Sonia Gandhi"s political advisor Ahmed Patel. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 from the same constituency (renamed as Bharuch in 2008). Five times in a row. He also served in the Government of Gujarat in 1994 as a Deputy Minister.
He holds a master"s degree in Social Work (Master of Social Work) from Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahemadabad and was graduated(Bachelor) from South Gujarat University.