Kendrapara has played a crucial role in Odisha's politics, producing leaders like Member of Parliament Mr. Rabi Ray who achieved the post of Speaker in Loksabha, and Mr. Biju Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha.
Several notable public figures have been residents of Mangarhi, including Amichand Singh, a political advocate and associate of Charan Singh, Vijendra Singh (M.P. Loksabha), Mulayam Singh Yadav and Tejvir Singh Guddu (former Zila Panchayat Chairman).
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam fielded Sreedhar Vandaiyar in the Thiruverumbur Loksabha Constituency during 2006 and he lost by a small margin to K.N. Sekaran.
In fact, 90% of Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes do not have any representation in either Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh or Indian Parliament (Loksabha and Rajya Sabha).