Ensure 4 VIP tickets per MLA: Speaker to Karnataka govt over IPL matches
Bengaluru (PTI): Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Thursday asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at the city’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during matches, after members across party lines alleged they were treated with "disrespect" by the KSCA, which manages the venue.
The Speaker issued the direction after several MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, claimed they were given just one ticket and were not provided proper seating facilities during matches. Some members also demanded a separate lounge for legislators at the stadium.
The development comes as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are scheduled to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener in Bengaluru on March 28.
Following the Speaker’s direction, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he would speak to Karnataka State Cricket Association officials and inform the House during the next Assembly session.
At this point, Khader and some MLAs pointed out that IPL matches begin on March 28.
Shivakumar then said he would immediately call KSCA officials. "I know the president there personally. I am also a voting member of the KSCA. There is nothing wrong with MLAs asking for this; they have every right to request the benefit. I will speak to them," he said.
The issue arose during a discussion when Minister K J George, intervening in a debate on Bengaluru’s development, said he had earlier suggested considering a new sports arena or stadium if the Jakkur Flying Training School—a heritage aviation institution—is relocated from its current site.
He added that the proposal was opposed within the Cabinet by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, citing criticism that the government was attempting to favour builders. The CM (Siddaramaiah) subsequently decided to put the matter on hold, and no decision was taken.
Reacting to this, senior BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan asked whether there was a shortage of land for a new cricket stadium in Bengaluru, noting that cricket has become commercialised and associations generate substantial revenue.
"Do they need government land? They only need government permissions," he said.
R Ashoka said, "They (KSCA) do not give us tickets properly during matches, yet the government wants to provide them land for a stadium."
Pointing out that land for the Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally allotted to KSCA for training purposes, he said, "They have crores of rupees, yet they treat us in a way that we have to plead even for tickets. Even when a ticket is issued, it is in my name, so I cannot send my wife or son."
At this point, several Congress MLAs, including Vijayananda Kashappanavar and others, said the Leader of the Opposition was right and that MLAs should be given more tickets, proper seating, and preferably a separate lounge.
"MLAs get only one ticket and are made to sit in a lower gallery; earlier, they used to get two tickets. The government should ensure proper seating arrangements. Our families also want to watch matches. Should they not get that opportunity? Ensure proper tickets, seating, and a separate lounge for MLAs," Kashappanavar said.
Demanding that MLAs be given at least five tickets, he alleged that tickets are sold on the black market for up to Rs 20,000 each, while MLAs are denied access. "Is there no respect for the government and legislators?" he asked.
Ashoka said the government had allotted 16.32 acres of land for the stadium at a nominal rent of Rs 1,600 per month, while ticket prices range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 for a match.
"Teach them (KSCA) a lesson. We are not asking for free tickets; we are willing to pay," he added.
Intervening, Speaker Khader asked Shivakumar to call KSCA officials and ensure that MLAs are provided respectful seating arrangements.
"One ticket is given per MLA, and VIP tickets are issued only if the MLA attends in person. However, MLAs find it difficult to stand in queues as staff do not recognise them, leading to a sense of disrespect," he said.
"Many MLAs, therefore, avoid attending matches. Inform KSCA that at least four VIP stand tickets should be provided to MLAs and their families," he added.
The Speaker also jokingly told MLAs to approach the deputy CM, not him, for IPL tickets.
Meanwhile, Ashoka questioned why KSCA, which is permitted to host matches, has been granted a licence to serve liquor, including a CL-4 licence (for clubs), at the stadium.
"Tighten these rules; only then will KSCA fall in line," he added.
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Bengaluru setting benchmark not competing with Hyderabad or any other city: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday asserted that Bengaluru is setting a benchmark, and it is not competing with Hyderabad or any other city.
Shivakumar, who is also the Minister for Bengaluru Development, was responding to opposition leader R Ashoka's demand urging him to react, after Telangana CM Revanth Reddy reportedly mocked Bengaluru's traffic congestion and pollution while promoting Hyderabad, recently.
"Bengaluru is not competing with any city. Bengaluru is setting a benchmark. Bengaluru will always lead and others have to follow. Bengaluru has its own unique challenges and we will handle them effectively. Cities are not judged by complaints, but by contributions. Bengaluru will always grow high," Shivakumar said during the discussion on the city's issues in the Legislative Assembly.
He said he did not want to discuss Hyderabad or other cities.
Noting that in a survey on Global Tech Market Top Talent, Bengaluru ranks 6th globally, while Hyderabad is at 24th place, the Deputy CM said, "We do not need to compete with Hyderabad. Bengaluru is not competing with Hyderabad. Bengaluru has 250 engineering colleges and 70 medical colleges. No other state in the country has this. Our state is producing 13,940 doctors."
"Talents nurtured here are going abroad -- 50 per cent have stayed back. ISRO, the first national law school, HMT industries, and ITI were all established here. This is why Bengaluru has grown, and we want to preserve this," he added.
The whole country is watching Bengaluru. "When I went to the Davos Summit, I saw the priority given to Bengaluru there. Companies from America and Europe are asking for time to discuss investment. Bengaluru is setting a benchmark for other cities," he said.
Highlighting the various infrastructure projects taken up in Bengaluru under the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, he, however, said, "Now, no grants are coming from the Centre for Bengaluru city's development. I had met the Prime Minister and appealed. I had hoped Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance Minister) would help, but she did not. We are managing from our own funds."
Noting that he came to Bengaluru at age 6 and has stayed here ever since, the Deputy CM said, "Bengaluru has given me everything. I must give something back to Bengaluru."
"I cannot be here (in politics) forever. I may be in politics for another 10-15 years at most. I am trying to contribute something in the opportunity I have been given. I alone cannot do everything. All of you must also give valuable suggestions to me in this democratic system," he appealed.
Pointing out that even though the traffic issues in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi are worse than Bengaluru, the city gets more coverage for its issues, Shivakumar said. "We have taken many steps on traffic. Roads in Bengaluru are only 8 per cent of the area. Road widening is needed, but after the 2013 compensation legislation, compensation must be given at double the rate. So road widening is impossible." That is why the government is going ahead with the Bengaluru Business Corridor, he said.
"Land owners have been given compensation under the 2013 Act. For Phase 1 of the project, 80 per cent of land acquisition has been approved. Tenders will be called soon. This road will ease half of Bengaluru's traffic congestion. Thanks to HUDCO for agreeing to provide a loan of Rs 26,000 crore in a single day for this project," he said.
Noting that since road widening inside the city is impossible, the government is proceeding to build tunnel roads, the Deputy CM said, there is no other option to ease Bengaluru's traffic.
"For the tunnel road, land acquisition at a few points will cost Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 crore. Beyond that, Rs 17,000 crore is needed for road construction. There is a big difference between our tender and tunnel road tenders in other states. Our cost will be Rs 700-Rs 800 crore per km, while other states have spent Rs 1,300-Rs 1,400 crore per km," he explained.
Shivakumar said the government was committed to bringing in the Apartment Act and to implement it.
"I will discuss with opposition MLAs and gather their opinion. It will then be implemented even through an ordinance if necessary," he said.
Stating that potholes exist everywhere, the Deputy CM said, "We have largely filled Bengaluru's potholes. Rs 1,700 crore has been spent on 150 km of new roads. We were the first in the country to allow the public to report potholes to the corporation. Filling potholes is an ongoing process and we are continuing it."
