A controversy has emerged in Karnataka over the allotment of IPL tickets to legislators, with BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar criticising the move as an example of “VIP culture” and declining to accept the benefit.
The issue arose after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had agreed to provide two tickets to each MLA for IPL matches at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision followed concerns raised by legislators across party lines in the Assembly regarding inadequate ticket access and seating arrangements at the venue.
The discussion had also seen Speaker UT Khader suggest that MLAs be given four VIP tickets for matches. Subsequently, the KSCA agreed to allocate two tickets per legislator, along with arrangements such as a dedicated stand at the stadium.
Reacting to the development, Suresh Kumar wrote to the Speaker formally refusing the tickets. He stated that, as a matter of principle, he did not wish to accept any passes or tickets issued by the government or the KSCA, asserting that such privileges reflected an unhealthy continuation of VIP culture.
Kumar also expressed surprise at how quickly the government acted on the matter, noting that the decision was announced within 24 hours of the Assembly discussion. He questioned whether such urgency was shown in addressing issues affecting the general public.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded by stating that accepting the tickets was optional, and those interested in attending the matches could do so. He also pointed out that providing tickets to legislators was not a new practice and had been followed in the past.
The debate has gained further attention as it coincides with the start of IPL 2026, which opened in Bengaluru with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kumar further criticised the focus on privileges, recalling last year’s stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, which resulted in multiple deaths. He contrasted the earlier expressions of grief in the Assembly with the current discussions centred on ticket allocations, suggesting that such priorities could erode public trust in elected representatives.
Emphasising that public representatives should act as servants of the people, he argued that encouraging VIP culture would only distance politicians from citizens and diminish their credibility in the eyes of the public.
