Bengaluru. Amidst the assembly elections of five states in the country and the excitement of IPL, a unique and surprising issue echoed in the Karnataka Assembly. State MLAs have opened a front demanding 'VIP honours' and 'premium tickets' for the matches to be held at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The MLAs say that they cannot stand in line with the general public to watch the match and the Cricket Association (KSCA) is not giving them the respect they deserve. Taking a tough stand on the issue, Assembly Speaker UT Khadar has directed the government to ensure at least four VIP stand tickets for each MLA on the day of the match.
Opposition leader R. Raising this issue during the discussion on Bengaluru development, Ashok said that the government has given 16.32 acres of land to KSCA at a monthly rent of just Rs 1,600. He alleged, 'They are earning thousands of crores of rupees, but we have to beg before them for a ticket. Even when they give tickets, they charge up to Rs 20,000. We have to teach them a lesson.
Ashok also raised the question that why does the association have a liquor license amidst the permission given for cricket? He suggested that if the government tightened the rules, they would automatically fall in line.
'We are VIPs, can't stand in line'
Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashapanavar demanded a separate lounge for MLAs and said, 'Our children and family also have a desire to watch cricket. They give us a ticket and make us sit somewhere below. Is there no respect for MLAs? He demanded immediate arrangement of tickets for the match to be held between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. Kashappanavar even said while talking to the media, 'We are VIPs and cannot stand in long queues like the general public. Last time we were sent to the gallery along with the public, which should not happen again.
BJP MLA Abhay Patil alleged that stadium tickets were being sold in black.
Allegation of black marketing of tickets
BJP MLA Abhay Patil alleged that stadium tickets were being sold in black. He said, 'They sell the tickets in black, but the MLAs do not get the tickets even after paying.' Speaker UT Khadar agreed with the complaints of the MLAs and said that the government should take it seriously. He said, 'At present they give ordinary tickets where even the security personnel do not recognize and respect the MLAs. That's why most MLAs shy away from going to watch the match.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar intervened in this matter and said that he will talk to KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad about this. Shivkumar said, 'It is not wrong for MLAs to ask for tickets, they should at least get some facilities.' This debate has once again sparked a discussion among the public whether cricket tickets and VIP treatment should be the priority of public representatives, while there are many other serious issues pending before the state.
