He entered politics in his early teens, having actively participated in student agitations since 1959.
He had actively participated in NCC, Scouts, Bharat Sevak Samaj and Seva Dal.
Sankaran was elected to the 11th Kerala Legislative Assembly from Koyilandy constituency as an Indian National Congress candidate.
He was Director and Board Member of Public Undertakings such as Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, Bangalore, Command Area Development Authority (CADA), Thrissur, Oushadhi (Trichur) and Plantation Corporation of Kerala Limited, Kottayam.
He worked as General Secretary of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).