After the demise of G. K. Moopanar in 2001, G. K. Vasan was unanimously elected as the President of Tamil Maanila Congress by the MPs, MLAs and senior functionaries of the party.

Under his leadership, the party fielded 32 candidates in the 12th Tamil Nadu State Assembly election and won 23 constituencies by securing over 18.85 Lakhs votes.

On 14 August 2001, the party (TMC) under the leadership of G. K. Vasan and its MPs, MLAs and millions of cadres got merged unconditionally with the Indian National Congress.

G. K. Vasan extensively toured the state to rejuvenate the party cadres and interacted with general public to strengthen the organisation.

As a rural resident himself, he constantly strives to empower the local bodies and in the process, he was keenly associated as a member of: Consultative committee for the Ministry of Agriculture (years 2002–2004): whereby, dynamically backed the measures to build a vibrant rural economy and for National Food Security.

Achievements: The first assignment initiated was to 'Reform and Modernize' the operations of shipping industry by introducing 'e- auction tendering system',[9] implementing revised 'auction rate for lease of lands which belong to Indian Ports and introduced 'revival strategy for 133 nos of non-functional ports and revised the 'auction rate for the land lease'.

[10] The shipping ministry under G. K. Vasan leadership; awarded about 88 new projects with an investment of INR 42,953 Crore[11][12] to enhance the marine infrastructure in his country and successfully concluded the ministerial term with a virtue of 'Impressive performance with high integrity, simplicity and transparency'.

[13][14] The Ministry of Shipping was the only office then, to have a sector specific 'Land Policy Guidelines' approved by the Cabinet; a step towards 'Transparency and Accountability'.

[15] The Shipping Ministry (Cochin Shipyard (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala) 'designed and build an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant for the Indian Navy'; making India, only the 5th country,[16] next to US, the UK, Russia and France to hold an independent capability.

[20] It was purely on his personnel interest; he intervened to hold 12 rounds of meetings with the labour unions and brought a solution to their long pending desires.

Launched the vision document 'Maritime Agenda 2020' a road map to build a 3200 million tonnes per year of port capacity by infusing an estimated investment of Rs.

As part of revamp programme; augmented the infrastructure facilities at 'Port Blair' and positioned it as '13th Major Port in India'.

Launched the passenger ferry service between Tuticorin & Colombo to realize the dream of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai.

The ministry was more considerate to open a thought for granting IT exemption, tax concessions and pension benefits to Indian seafarers; a candid initiative where whole of shipping fraternity remembers him, even today.

MoS (Independent Charge) Statistics & Programme Implementation (January 2006 – May 2009) G. K. Vasan was first inducted in the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Sign, the 13th Prime Minister of India.

A Twenty Point Programme as part of Social Justice was restructured with inclusion of new schemes like 'National Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Rural Business Hubs, Local Self Government both in urban local bodies and panchayat raj, Prevention of child labor, HIV/AIDS, Mid day Meal, etc.

[33] Software was set up to monitor and enable online access to MPLADS works, which ensured improved transparency and e-governance.

It serves as a key recommendation provider on latest statistical standards and policy initiatives in India.

Political Office Cultural / Recreation / Club G. K. Vasan is passionate about Carnatic Music and enjoys playing Cricket and Table Tennis.