He stood as an Indian National Congress candidate.

Laya got 62079 votes (44.98%), but lost the seat to a Indian National Congress candidate.

In 1993 he was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate.

He was elected again as an Indian National Congress candidate from Pattukottai constituency in 1977 election.

He was elected from Ponneri constituency as an Indian National Congress candidate in 1957, and 1962 elections.

He was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate from Sathankulam constituency in 1984 and 1989 elections.

He remained in his post for 14 years as an Indian National Congress candidate, from 1948 until his death in 1962.

He had contested the same seat in 2002 as an Indian National Congress candidate, then finishing in fifth place.

He was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate from Aduthurai constituency in 1952 election.

He was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate in 2006 election.