Under VK's leadership, the NUW grew to become one of the leading trade unions in Sri Lanka, boasting nearly 500,000 members.
VK notably identified the distinction between the Employment Provident Fund (EPF) and service gratuity and successfully brought this issue before the Supreme Court, winning a landmark case in favour of the workers.
He was later elected to the Central Provincial Council from the Nuwara Eliya District, with M. Udayakumar serving as vice president.
In the 2015 General Election, he was re-elected with an overwhelming majority, alongside M. Thilakarajah, a poet and social activist from the Hill Country.
This victory elevated P. Thigambaram to the position of Cabinet Minister, where his advocacy for the plantation community gained recognition, especially among youth and social activists.