Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 26: The members of the Karnataka State Assembly cutting across the party line have demanded free tickets for the MLAs and their family members for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, forcing the speaker to intervene and direct the state government to take up the matter with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
The members also complained that though the KSCA was taking all the benefits from the state government, it was not giving enough respect to the MLAs. “The MLAs are VIPs and they cannot be expected to stand in the queue,” Congress legislator Vijayanand Kashapanavar, MLA from Hungund seat, said. He demanded that each MLA should be provided at least five tickets each by the KSCA for all the matches to be played at the Chinnaswamy stadium for the 2026 IPL season staring from Saturday with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“There is an IPL match that is going to start on the 28th of this month. Karnataka State Cricket Association is not providing tickets to MLAs, ministers, and their families. They are taking all the facilities from the government. They are getting all the security, everything. They are taking all the facilities from the government. But they are not respecting MLAs,” Kashapanavar told the media.
He also wanted separate and respectful seating arrangements for the MLAs at the stadium. “We are VIPs. We can’t go in the queue and stand there. We went last time. We were standing in the queue. They are sending us to a gallery with the public. It’s not going to happen,” he said. Slamming KSCA, Kashapanavar said, “They won’t listen to anybody. They have become that big. They are collecting money and enjoying. This is not going to happen,” he said.
Kashapanavar alleged black marketeering in the online sale of tickets. “So we requested the government. The Leader of the Opposition raised the issue in the assembly. I supported that and we requested the Speaker to take necessary action and issue a minimum of 5 tickets for the MLAs,” he said.
The issue was first raised in the state Assembly by the Leader of the Opposition, BJP’s R Ashoka, targeting the KSCA. “We have given them 16.32 acres of land at a nominal price of just about Rs 1,600 a month, but they charge us thousands for match tickets. MLAs struggle to obtain even a single ticket. They make us beg for tickets. When available, they cost as much as ₹20,000,” he said, alleging that the association was earning substantial revenue.
“They have crores of rupees and they loot us, and the government wants to build another stadium for such people. They need to be taught a lesson,” he said in the Assembly. Mr Ashok questioned the grant of an excise licence to the KSCA, suggesting that stricter regulation could address the issue. BJP member Abhay Patil demanded an inquiry into alleged black-marketing of tickets, claiming that even MLAs were unable to purchase them. Members also complained of being given ‘ordinary tickets’ and not being recognised at the venue.
Responding to the concerns, Assembly Speaker UT Khader suggested institutional intervention. “The government must hold discussions with KSCA regarding this issue that MLAs are raising. They sometimes give just one ticket to MLAs; they must be informed that when MLAs go, they should give a minimum of four tickets to the MLA and family,” Khader said.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured the House that the matter would be taken up with KSCA authorities. “I will use your name and, through the government, speak to the KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad and sort this out. I’m a member there too. MLAs have every right to ask; they need to get the benefit,” he said, adding in a lighter vein, “I will surely tell them this is a request from ‘Samrat’ Ashok.”