After much online controversy over cross-party Karnataka MLAs demanding free tickets to watch the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar supported the legislators and said that the MLAs have the right to get free tickets as they are part of the government.
“The MLAs have the right because they are part of the government. I will talk to the President to ensure that our MLAs are accommodated,” Shivakumar said.
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The MLAs’ demand for free IPL tickets is all the more interesting as the issue has blurred party lines with lawmakers from the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP making the demand in unison. IPL 2026 begins on Saturday with the first match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.
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However, Shivakumar took a dig at BJP MP Tejasvi Surya who criticized MLAs for “demanding tickets” for an IPL match.
Let Tejasvi Surya give Gyan to his party members,” Shivakumar said.
What Tejasvi Surya said
Suriya had earlier criticized MLAs over the demand for free IPL tickets and said: “If MLAs in Karnataka had spent time in the Vidhana Soudha (Assembly) discussing preparations for safety and security for IPL fans, it would have upheld the dignity of the Assembly. Instead, we saw MLAs begging and even threatening for free tickets for themselves and their families.”
This is not just a bad priority, it reveals a deeper problem – “the mentality of senior figures who see public office as entitlement.”
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“Why should any sporting body owe anything to MLAs? Why should elected representatives expect privileges denied to ordinary citizens,” he asked.
Request free tickets for Karnataka MLAs
The issue of free ticket came to light in the Legislative Council where it was raised by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka of the BJP, who received support from across the board.
Shivakumar referred to the legendary Mauryan king as he said he would raise him with the Karnataka State Cricket Association. “I will definitely tell them that this is a request from Samrat Ashoka,” he joked in the council.
Vijayanand Kashapanavar, Congress MLA from Hungund, later explained why the KSCA should give special treatment to MLAs. “They (the cricket federation) are taking all the facilities from the government. They are getting all the security, everything…but they are not respecting the MLAs,” he told the media, according to the report.
He added: “We are VIPs. We cannot stand in line and stand there. We went last time… They are sending us to an exhibition with the public. It will not happen.”
