Rao was first elected in 1983, as an MLA for the
Shadnagar constituency. He was subsequently re-elected for that constituency on three (1989, 1999, 2004) more occasions. He served as Irrigation Minister in
Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy's cabinet. Along with
Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the then CLP leader, he played a key role as Deputy CLP Leader when the party was in the opposition. He was elected from Secunderabad Cantonment Constituency in 2009, this being his first appointment from that constituency but his fifth term as MLA, overall. He did not contest the 2014 elections. He held different posts in the party and government in his political career of more than four decades. He was a minister for Government of Andhra Pradesh (before bifurcation) for the second time in
Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet. His portfolios were Public Enterprises, Handlooms & Textiles, Small Scale Industries, Khadi and Village Industries & Spinning Mills.. He has served as Cabinet Minister two times in his career. He has been a staunch supporter of
Telangana statehood. == Controversies ==