Thiruvananthapuram: Filmmaker Omar Lulu has stirred political debate ahead of the Kerala Assembly election results by stating that only two leaders are qualified to become Chief Minister of the state.

He said that if the ruling front retains power, Pinarayi Vijayan should continue as Chief Minister, while in the event of a regime change, IUML veteran PK Kunhalikutty should take over the post.

“Only two people are qualified to become Chief Minister of Kerala. If there is a continuation of the current government, then Pinarayi Vijayan,” he wrote on Facebook. He added that the Chief Minister for three consecutive terms is a record, especially in Kerala.

“At the same time, if there is a change in government, then PK Kunhalikutty. For the future of Kerala, we need a strong leader with political acumen, a vision for development, and international experience. There is no other leader in the UDF today as qualified as PK,” Omar Lulu said.

With the Kerala election results scheduled for May 4, discussions over the Chief Ministerial candidate have already intensified within the Congress-led UDF, even before the outcome is declared.

Amid the growing debate, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph urged party leaders and workers to exercise restraint and avoid public speculation on the CM candidate.

"I am not against anyone expressing their views on the issue, but they should do it among themselves and discreetly and not openly," he said in response to some leaders making statements in favour of certain candidates.

He cautioned that such public remarks could create discontent among party workers and voters.

"Now is not the apt time to make such views public. My humble request to everyone in the party is to remain silent and be patient till the results come and the high command takes a decision," he emphasised.

Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan also called the discussion premature.

"Such a discussion is unnecessary. The decision on the CM candidate will be made at the right time," he said, adding that there is a proper procedure for selecting the Chief Minister after the election results.

"There is a procedure for CM selection. After the election, a meeting of MLAs will decide the parliamentary party leader. The election picture will be clear by May 4 evening, after which the party high command will take a decision," he said.

He further stressed that public endorsements on social media were not appropriate at this stage.

"I think the party high command will give a direction in this regard. My opinion is that we should not give a bad impression to the public," he said.

On speculation around names being floated, Muraleedharan added, "Now, no one's name is being considered. Only after the election results are out will such discussions take place."

He also underlined the collective nature of the alliance’s campaign, saying, "It was Team UDF and it will continue like that."

Echoing similar views, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the ongoing debate was unnecessary.

"There is a system in place for that. It is not the first time that the Congress will form government or choose a CM. The party high command will take a decision at the right time. So, till then, there is no need to create any controversies on the issue. Doing so will disappoint the public and the party workers," he said.

He added that once the high command takes a decision, it would be accepted by all.

Congress MP Benny Behanan also dismissed social media discussions on the issue.

He said that he has offered his views, in writing, on the issue to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi.