 Vakkom Purushothaman was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1970, 1977, 1980 and 1982 from Attingal Constituency.From 1971 to 1977, he held the portfolio of Agriculture and Labour in the Ministry headed by C. Achutha Menon.From 1980 to 1981, he was the Minister for Health and Tourism in the Nayanar Ministry.