Nambadan served as Transport Minister from 25 January 1980 to 20 October 1981 and as Housing Minister from 2 April 1987 to 17 June 1991, both terms when E. K. Nayanar was the Chief Minister. Nambadan had long fought for the declaration of Malayalam as the official language used in official transactions of the state.
Nambadan held ministerial roles in transportation and housing from 1980 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 1991, both times during E. K. Nayanar's term as Chief Minister. He was a long-time advocate for the official use of Malayalam in state transactions.