G. K. Vasan is an Indian politician who represents the Indian political party Indian National Congress. After the death of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) party President G. K. Moopanar, the party unanimously elected G. K. Vasan as its leader. He has served as president of Tamil Nadu Congress Party and in various committees in Parliament. He is known for his closeness to party cadres, simplicity, hard work and immense interest in arts and his achievements in various fields.
Early Life of G. K. Vasan
G. K. Vasan was born on the 28th of December in the year 1968 in Sundara Perumalkoil, district of Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. Vasan is the son of late veteran Congress leader Thiru G. K. Moopanar and Shrimati Kasthuri Moopanar. His father formed his own political party in Tamil Nadu, recognised as the Tamil Mannila Congress in the year 1996 against Congress alliance with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham. After the death of Thiru G. K. Moopanar, his son G. K. Vasan was unanimously elected as the leader of the party. Vasan completed his education from the Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School. Later he graduated from the New College, Madras University, Chennai, and earned the degree of B. A. (Corporate Secretaryship).
Political Career of G. K. Vasan
Initially Vasan was elected as the working president of the state unit of the party but gradually he made it to the upper house. He helped his father during the formation of the Tamil Mannila Congress. His party merged with the congress in the presence of its president Sonia Gandhi. Vasan was named as the secretary of the party in the meeting by Sonia Gandhi. After that Vasan was elected to the Rajya Sabha. In the previous government, Vasan was the Minister of State, in the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. After the 2009 general elections he was appointed as the Union Shipping Minister. Immediately after taking charge of the ministry, G. K. Vasan emphasised on the continuation of the Sethusamudram Project and its completion on time.
Personal Life of G. K. Vasan
G. K. Vasan is married to Smt. Sunitha Vasan since 29th November 1996 and has one son.
Positions Held by G. K. Vasan
| Year | Positions Held |
| August 2001-2002 | President, Tamil Maanila Congress |
| April 2002 | Elected to Rajya Sabha |
| May 2002-January 2004 | Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Agriculture |
| January 2003-February 2004 | Member, Departmentally-Related Standing Committee on Urban and Rural Development |
| August 2002-November 2003 | Secretary, All India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.) |
| June 2003-July 2004 | Member, Committee on Subordinate Legislation |
| November 2003-February 2006 | President, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee |
| August 2004-January 2006 | Member, Committee on Coal and Steel |
| October 2004 - January 2006 | Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Urban Development |
| January 2006-May 2009 | Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation (Independent Charge) |
| April 2008 | Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha |
| March-May 2009 | Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) (Additional Charge) |
| May 2009 onwards | Union Minister of Shipping, Indian Government |
