Bengaluru, 27 Mar 

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Friday that the KSCA has agreed to provide two tickets per MLA for the IPL match on 28 March, at the city's Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar met officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the stadium, a day after legislators across party lines in the Assembly raised the issue of improper ticket and seating arrangements for them at the city's premier venue.

Following this, Speaker UT Khader had asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets at the stadium during matches.

KSCA officials led by its President Venkatesh Prasad, a former cricketer, met both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar on Friday.

"I called and spoke to them and told them to give one (ticket) extra (to MLAs). I will speak to them in the future also. Earlier, they used to give one ticket. Now I have asked them to give two tickets. They have agreed. I have spoken to both RCB and KSCA," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The Speaker had directed to ensure four tickets be given per MLA, but as tickets have already been sold, four tickets cannot be given now. Earlier, every MLA, MP and Minister used to get one ticket each. Now we have requested two tickets."

"We will discuss the remaining things later, but for the first (IPL) match tomorrow, they will get two tickets," he added.

Karnataka Assembly has a total strength of 224 MLAs, and there are 28 MPs from the state.

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar defended the demand from the legislators, which has drawn criticism from some sections, saying, "MLAs have a right, because they are part of the system, they are part of the government."

Khader issued the direction to the government on Thursday after several MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, claimed they were given only one ticket and not provided proper seating facilities during matches. Some members also demanded a separate lounge for legislators at the stadium.

Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening fixture of IPL 2026 here on 28 March.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the MLAs for "pleading for tickets" for the marquee event.

"Had the Karnataka MLAs spent time in the Vidhana Soudha (Assembly) 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 just a poor priority, it exposes a deeper problem - "a VIP mindset that sees public office as entitlement."

"Why should any sports body owe MLAs anything. Why should elected representatives expect privileges denied to ordinary citizens," he asked.

Asserting that public office is not a privilege and that it is a responsibility, the Bengaluru South MP said, "This culture must end."

Responding, Shivakumar said, "Let Mr Tejasvi Surya give his gyan (advice) to his party members, not me."

Meanwhile, Ashoka, speaking to reporters on Friday, termed Surya's comments as his personal opinion.

He said the demand from him and a few other MLAs for more tickets was not for themselves, but to give them to sports persons or enthusiasts or those from cricket clubs in their constituencies.

He also clarified that they were not asking for tickets for free.

However, State BJP President B Y Vijayendra said that he was personally opposed to MLAs asking for IPL tickets.

"We legislators are not bigger or different from the common man. We should not be asking for special privileges. I am opposed to this idea of legislators asking for IPL tickets," he told reporters.