 In 1998–99 he was the Convenor, Sub-Committee on Power, Committee on Energy and a Special Invitee, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Railways.Between 1999-2004 he was the Chairman, Committee on Petitions.From 2004 to 2014 he was the leader of the CPI (M) Parliamentary Party in the 14th Lok Sabha, Chairman of the Lok Sabha and a member of several parliamentary committees.