Cong MLA Demands 5 Tickets To Watch IPL Matches

BENGALUR: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) operators of the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru came under fire from some MLAs in the Assembly chamber on Thursday over the MLAs/Ministers not being able to get tickets to watch Indian Premier League (IPL) matches featuring the home team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). RCB will play their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.

Coming out of the assembly, Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar told reporters that he had taken exception to buying tickets online even for MLAs/Ministers and said “selling tickets online is fake”.

“We know that (selling tickets) on the internet is a completely black market,” the MLA said, adding, “There are bookmakers who sell black tickets.” “Usually a ticket costs Rs 5,000, in black it goes up to Rs 35,000,” said Vijayanand.

“Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly and I supported him,” the ruling party MLA said and demanded that MLAs/Ministers be given 5 tickets and separate seating arrangements be made to watch the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium. “We are VIPs. Can’t enter the stadium and watch matches just like a common man,” he said and recalled “Previous year, we entered the stadium like any other spectators.”

The MLA accused the KSCA of not respecting the MLAs despite availing the facilities of the State Government, including security arrangements. “KSCA members have grown to the point of denying tickets to MLAs,” he said.

Vijayanand said he had received assurance from Bengaluru in-charge and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to MLAs about resolving the ticket issue and also separate seating arrangements in the stadium.

However, there was no reaction from KSCA to the request for tickets/separate seating arrangements in the stadium.