Published Mar 31, 2026 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2026 | 3:31 PM
DK Shivakumar with RCB and KSCA stakeholders. Credit: x.com/DKShivakumar
Synopsis: Karnataka MLAs secured three free IPL tickets each and two for international matches at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, after Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s talks with RCB and KSCA. The move, sparked by bipartisan demands, drew sharp criticism as VIP entitlement, especially given last year’s deadly stampede. Some legislators refused tickets, while others defended the practice.
Karnataka’s MLAs, cutting across party lines, have won three free tickets each for the ongoing matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) at Bengaluru’s famed M Chinnaswamy stadium, along with two tickets for international matches.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made the announcement on Monday, 30 March, after holding a round of talks with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), DNA Entertainment Networks, and other concerned parties.
The decision comes after the farce was raised in the House during the recently-concluded Budget session. The demand was first initiated by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, which then found support across the aisle from Congress MLA Vijayananda Kashappanavar among others.
Both leaders complained about the alleged discrimination against them and their families, meted out by the KSCA, by refusing to allot VIP seating and free tickets.
Held a meeting with representatives from the Karnataka State Cricket Association, including President Shri Venkatesh Prasad, DNA Entertainment Networks MD Shri Venkat, Chief Communication Officer Shri Vinay Mruthyunjay, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru CEO Shri Rajesh Menon at my… pic.twitter.com/gzDxL9akUi
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) March 30, 2026
The entitled VIP culture was on display a couple of days before cricket matches officially returned to Chinnaswamy stadium, months after a stampede killed 11 fans during victory celebrations for RCB’s maiden title. The tragedy and its lingering consequences for the families of the victims, some as young as 14, did not seem to have dawned upon legislators.
After the demand was made in the House last Thursday, KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad rushed to the Vidhana Soudha to hold talks with legislators.
Following prolonged discussions, Shivakumar told reporters that each MLA would be allotted two tickets for the first match on Saturday, 28 March. He added that the demand for four tickets was not feasible and that a decision on ticket allocation for subsequent matches would be taken at a later stage.
On Monday, Shivakumar met Prasad once again, along with officials from RCB and DNA. He was seen wearing RCB’s jersey, with the word ‘DK’ written on the back. Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar claimed that Karnataka government’s ‘interference’ in seeking tickets is ‘far less’ compared to other states.
“I also spoke with officials from Rajasthan, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Gujarat — about 50–60 percent of tickets there are distributed to government officials and related groups. Compared to them, our level of interference is far less,” he said.
When asked about MLAs demanding more tickets, he said, “Not all demands can be fulfilled. We had a discussion and arrived at this decision based on the situation.”
KSCA office bearer Santosh Menon told South First that the decision to allot three free tickets for IPL games was communicated by the government to RCB, not the KSCA. “KSCA had very little role to play in that,” he said.
Menon added that the association had earlier provided one ticket to legislators for international or bilateral matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but this has now been increased to two on the government’s directions.
While leaders from both Congress and BJP came together in demanding tickets, there was also a shared chorus of criticism over these demands and the government’s willingness to concede to them.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya was one of the most vocal critics of the Congress MLAs who pressed for tickets, although his party colleague had initiated the discussion first.
“Had the Karnataka MLAs spent time in the Vidhana Soudha 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,” he said in a post on X.
He said it exposes a deeper problem – that of a “VIP mindset that sees public office as entitlement.”
Had the Karnataka MLAs spent time in the Vidhana Soudha 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…
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 27, 2026
After Shivakumar made the announcement on Monday, Surya, in a satirical tone, called it the “biggest achievement” of the Karnataka government.
“Congratulations to CM and DCM for successfully concluding such a difficult and complex negotiation process involving so many stakeholders. This will benefit the 6 crore Kannada people,” he said mockingly, in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar’s brother and president of the Bangalore Milk Union Ltd. (BAMUL), DK Suresh, criticised the demands for free tickets.
“It is wrong to ask for free tickets. Those who want to watch the match should pay for it themselves. That is the right approach,” he told reporters on Monday.
Suresh also referred to the stampede, pointing out that the very legislators who had earlier criticised the IPL and RCB following the tragedy are now seeking tickets.
Further claiming that the KSCA has been giving tickets for years, Suresh said, “But now the issue is being used for political propaganda. BJP MLAs have also received IPL tickets. The IPL is not a national tournament; it is a commercial event. So public representatives should not give so much importance to these matters.”
Ahead of the first match at the stadium on Saturday, BJP MLA Suresh Kumar, slammed the decision to allot two IPL tickets to MLAs, calling it “VIP culture.”
Kumar wrote to Speaker UT Khader on Saturday, declining the match tickets. To recall, Khader had also intervened in the debate last week, urging the state government to ensure that each MLA is allotted four premium tickets.
“I wanted to intervene and speak, but I was surprised that the Speaker himself joined the discussion, so I restrained myself,” Kumar said in a statement.
The former minister noted that following the stampede incident, the Assembly had held discussions in which many expressed anger and grief.
“However, today, in the same Vidhana Soudha, there is an intense discussion about tickets for the same IPL matches, along with demands for respect. This has further increased public contempt for politicians,” he said.
He also expressed surprise at the government’s eagerness to make such an announcement within 24 hours of the Assembly discussion.
Karnataka Minister of Commerce and Industries, MB Patil, reportedly received two tickets. “But how can I go? I have got election duty,” he said. Patil also defended his colleagues who had sought for tickets. “It is alright…they will ask for a couple of tickets. What is wrong with that?”
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa was at the stadium on Saturday.
Congratulations Royal Challengers Bengaluru on an impressive victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium—what a way to kick off IPL2026!#IPL2026 #RCB #SRH @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/TbJNAhr7ci
— B.S.Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) March 28, 2026
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too reportedly said that he would watch cricket matches after the upcoming bypolls to Davanagere South and Bagalkot.
