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Vijayanand Kashappanavar and R Ashoka slam KSCA over IPL tickets as Karnataka MLAs demand free seats and VIP treatment before Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener.
Vijayanand Kashappanavar and R Ashoka slam KSCA over IPL tickets as Karnataka MLAs demand free seats and VIP treatment before Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener. (Image: Facebook)
A demand for complimentary IPL tickets by Karnataka legislators triggered a political stir on Thursday after Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar said every MLA should be given at least five tickets for Indian Premier League matches, arguing that elected representatives are “VIPs” and “cannot stand in the queue”.
Raising the issue ahead of the 2026 IPL season opener in Bengaluru, Kashappanavar accused the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) of failing to show respect to legislators despite enjoying multiple government benefits.
“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. But they are not respecting MLAs,” he told reporters.
The Hungund MLA also alleged black marketing in online ticket sales and said the matter had been raised in the Assembly.
“We requested the Speaker to take necessary action and issue a minimum of five tickets for the MLAs,” he said.
Kashappanavar further insisted that MLAs should not be made to sit with the general public and demanded separate seating arrangements 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.
He also lashed out at the KSCA, accusing it of becoming too powerful and unaccountable.
“They won’t listen to anybody. They have become that big. They are collecting money and enjoying. This is not going to happen,” he added.
The issue also found support from Leader of Opposition and BJP leader R Ashoka, who criticised KSCA in the Assembly and questioned why the association was charging high ticket prices despite being allotted government land at a nominal rate.
Assembly Speaker UT Khader suggested that the government should formally engage with KSCA and ensure that MLAs are given a minimum of four tickets along with arrangements for their families.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured the House that the issue would be taken up with KSCA authorities and said MLAs had every right to seek such access.
The controversy comes just ahead of the new IPL season, which begins on Saturday with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and has once again spotlighted the intersection of politics, privilege, and sport.
March 26, 2026, 05:07 PM IST
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