All members of the legislative assembly in Karnataka are set to receive three complimentary tickets to attend IPL matches at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar following discussions with Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials.
The decision comes after a recent dispute arose among lawmakers from various political parties regarding the distribution of tickets and seating arrangements for the matches. Some opposition MLAs criticized the practice, labeling it as emblematic of VIP culture.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar confirmed that each MLA will be provided with three free tickets for IPL games, with an additional option to purchase two more seats. He mentioned that discussions with representatives from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and KSCA led to this agreement, emphasizing that any legislator declining the complimentary tickets could do so by submitting a formal request.
The issue was raised in the state Assembly, prompting Speaker UT Khader to instruct the government to ensure that every MLA is allocated four VIP tickets for stadium matches, an increase from the previous allocation of one ticket per legislator.
Following a meeting between KSCA officials, including former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, the decision was finalized. Despite criticisms regarding VIP culture, Shivakumar defended the necessity for MLAs to have access to tickets, citing their role within the government structure.
In response, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya expressed discontent, accusing MLAs of displaying a VIP mindset by seeking tickets as if it were an entitlement. However, senior BJP leader R Ashoka distanced himself from Surya’s remarks, clarifying that they reflected personal opinions.
Notably, Karnataka BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar rejected the tickets, denouncing the move as perpetuating a VIP culture. The Karnataka legislature consists of 224 MLAs, while the state is represented by 28 Members of Parliament in the national legislature.