Ponnani (Kerala): Ponnani MLA K P Noushad Ali has stated that plans are being considered to bring Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for the Ponnani Biennale. The MLA was speaking at a family gathering in Ponnani.

He also mentioned that deliberations are ongoing to appoint actor Mohanlal as the director of the Ponnani Biennale.

"There is a vision to bring people ranging from Shah Rukh Khan and Shreya Ghoshal to Lionel Messi and Mamdani to Ponnani. Do not dismiss this as mere empty talk. There is no doubt that we will bring at least 75 per cent of the people mentioned," Noushad Ali said.

Previously, during the tenure of the LDF government, the then Sports minister V Abdurahiman had promised to bring Messi and the Argentine team to Kerala. The failure to materialise this promise had earlier sparked controversies.