'I'm on that job today': Will speak to KSCA officials, says Shivakumar on Karnataka MLAs' demand for IPL tickets

After the issue was raised in the Assembly on Thursday, Speaker U T Khader had asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at the stadium during matches.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said that he will contact the KSCA authorities regarding tickets and seating arrangements for MLAs during IPL matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A day earlier, legislators across party lines had raised the issue of improper ticketing and accommodation facilities for them at the city's premier venue.

Speaker U T Khader had asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at the stadium during matches, after the issue was raised in the Assembly on Thursday. The members had alleged they were treated with "disrespect" by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the venue.

"MLAs have a right, because they are part of the system, they are part of the government. Earlier also some respect had been given to all of them. With a lot of difficulty and all the pressure we have permitted them," he said in an apparent reference to the KSCA being allowed to hold matches after last year's stampede incident during RCB's IPL victory celebrations that left 11 persons dead and many injured.

"Though I may be a member (of KSCA), that's a different question, that's in my personal capacity," Shivakumar told reporters.

"I will speak to the President and others (at KSCA), I want to see that our MLAs are accommodated. Today I'm on that job," he added.

Khader on Thursday issued the direction to the government after several MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka from the BJP, claimed they were given just one ticket and not provided proper seating facilities during matches. Some members also demanded a separate lounge for legislators at the stadium.

The issue came up in the House days ahead of reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening fixture of IPL 2026 here on March 28.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the MLAs for "pleading for tickets" for the marquee event.

"Had the Karnataka MLAs spent time in the Vidhana Soudha (Assembly) discussing safety and security preparedness for IPL fans, it would have upheld the dignity of the House. Instead, we saw MLAs pleading and even threatening for free tickets for themselves and their families." This is not just a poor priority and exposes a deeper problem - "a VIP mindset that sees public office as entitlement." "Why should any sports body owe MLAs anything. Why should elected representatives expect privileges denied to ordinary citizens," he asked.

Asserting that the public office is not a privilege and that it is a responsibility, the Bengaluru South MP said, "This culture must end." Responding, Shivakumar said, "Let Mr Tejasvi Surya give his gyan (advice) to his party members, not me."

(With PTI inputs)