Karnataka BJP MLA Suresh Kumar refuses IPL tickets, slams ‘VIP culture’
Bengaluru, Mar 28 (PTI): Calling the decision to allot two IPL tickets to MLAs "VIP culture", senior Karnataka BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar on Saturday said he does not want them.
He expressed surprise that the government was eager to make such an announcement just 24 hours after the discussion in the Assembly.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Friday that the KSCA had agreed to provide two tickets per MLA for the IPL match on March 28 at the city’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
IPL 2026 kicks off here with RCB facing SRH in the opening match.
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Shivakumar had met officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which manages the stadium, a day after legislators across party lines raised the issue in the Assembly regarding improper ticketing and seating arrangements for them at the city’s premier venue.
During the discussion in the Assembly, Speaker U T Khader had asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets for matches at the stadium.
"The state government, led by Siddaramaiah, claims to be socialist. It is truly surprising and unfortunate that VIP culture continues even under the rule of this self-proclaimed socialist CM," Kumar said in a statement.
"Oh, I forgot! When RCB won the IPL last year, we all saw the scene where this same ‘Samajwadi’ chief minister took his grandson to the victory stage built in front of the Vidhana Soudha," he added, taking a dig at the government.
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Pointing out that during the deputy CM’s reply to Bengaluru’s issues in the Assembly on March 26, a non-partisan discussion suddenly began on the Chinnaswamy Stadium, IPL matches, and MLAs allegedly not being given tickets and being disrespected, he said, "I wanted to intervene and speak, but the fact that the Speaker himself joined the discussion surprised me, so I restrained myself."
"The question being asked everywhere after the Assembly concluded is whether legislators discuss the problems of the common people or talk about the facilities, privileges, status, and honours they desire," he said.
The former minister noted that following the stampede incident in June last year—in which eleven people were killed outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory celebration—the Assembly held discussions in which many expressed anger and grief.
"However, today, in the same Vidhana Soudha, there is an angry discussion about tickets for the same IPL matches, with demands for respect. This has further increased public contempt for politicians," he said.
"We all call ourselves public servants, and it is surprising that 'VIP culture' is being rewarded today," he added, citing media reports that each MLA will be given two tickets for the upcoming IPL match.
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"This is definitely not the right decision," he said.
Also expressing surprise at the government’s eagerness to make such an announcement within 24 hours of the Assembly discussion, Kumar said that people are questioning how quickly matters concerning MLAs are addressed.
"In this context, I humbly refuse the passes or tickets that I have come to know, through the media, are being given to MLAs. To put it bluntly, I do not want those tickets," he said.
"We should all remember that the more we continue to promote this ‘VIP culture’, the smaller we, as politicians, will appear in the eyes of the common people," Kumar added.
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J-K: Avalanche warning issued for Bandipora, Ganderbal
Srinagar (PTI): Authorities in Kashmir on Saturday issued an avalanche warning for two districts in the valley and asked people to remain highly vigilant, officials said.
An avalanche with a medium danger level is expected to occur above 2,400 metres in Bandipora and Ganderbal within the next 24 hours, officials added.
"People are strictly advised to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas, including slopes, hilly terrain, and higher reaches, until further orders are issued by the authorities," the advisory read.
Residents, tourists, and nomadic communities have been asked to adhere to official advisories and cooperate with the administration for their safety.
On Friday, multiple avalanches struck the Zojila Pass in Ganderbal district, trapping several vehicles and resulting in the deaths of seven individuals.
The pass along the Srinagar-Leh national highway connects the Kashmir valley with Ladakh.
