BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday criticised the Karnataka government after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that all MLAs in the state would receive three complimentary tickets for IPL matches at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision followed a meeting between Shivakumar and officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, aimed at addressing concerns raised by legislators over ticket allocation and seating arrangements.
Taking a sarcastic tone, Surya described the move as the “biggest achievement” of the state government, suggesting that it would “benefit” the six crore people of Karnataka. In a post on social media, he mockingly congratulated the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for what he called a “complex negotiation process,” and went on to remark that such negotiation skills could be deployed to resolve global conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The announcement itself came in the backdrop of growing dissatisfaction among legislators across party lines, who had earlier raised the issue in the Assembly, citing inadequate access to match tickets. Responding to these concerns, Shivakumar stated that each MLA would now receive three free tickets for IPL matches. For international matches, MLAs would be allotted two tickets, with the option to purchase two additional seats.
The issue had gained further traction after Assembly Speaker UT Khader directed the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets for matches held at the stadium. Previously, legislators were typically allotted only one ticket, which many had argued was insufficient.
However, the decision has also drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly over what has been described as a reflection of “VIP culture.” Opposition voices have questioned the prioritisation of such benefits for elected representatives, especially at a time when broader governance and public service issues remain under scrutiny.
With Karnataka having 224 MLAs and 28 Members of Parliament, the controversy highlights the intersection of politics, public perception, and privilege, turning what might have been a routine administrative decision into a wider political debate.
