Bengaluru, March 26: The issue of ticket allocation for the IPL 2026 matches at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was raised in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. Speaker U.T. Khader urged the government to address the matter with the relevant authorities.
Khader noted that legislators are currently receiving only a general ticket. This decision stems from concerns that legislators often give their tickets to others, leading to overcrowding in the VIP gallery and management issues.
He pointed out that this arrangement causes significant inconvenience and embarrassment for the legislators.
“When a legislator attends a match, staff may not recognize them, resulting in a lack of proper respect. Consequently, many legislators hesitate to attend matches,” Khader stated.
The Speaker suggested inviting officials for discussions to establish a clear policy. He recommended that each legislator should receive at least four tickets, ensuring they are treated with the respect they deserve. Legislators welcomed his suggestions, applauding in support.
Opposition leader R. Ashok accused officials of being uncooperative and urged the government to assert its authority. He also questioned the issuance of CL-7 liquor licenses during matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium and the operation of bars within the stadium premises.
“If you enforce strict measures, they will fall in line,” Ashok asserted.
Several legislators mentioned that IPL matches are set to begin on March 28 and demanded that each legislator receive a minimum of five tickets, along with proper identification at the stadium.
Khader clarified that legislators should not approach him for tickets but should raise the issue with the Deputy Chief Minister. Some legislators also called for a separate gallery for legislators and ministers to ensure they have adequate seating and that protocols are followed.
Ashok confirmed that legislators would continue to communicate with the Speaker regarding this issue.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded, stating he would consider the matter. He added that he would discuss the issue with the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association. “There is nothing wrong with legislators requesting tickets to watch IPL matches in Bengaluru. I will convey that this is the Speaker’s directive and a request from the opposition leader,” he said.
The first match of IPL 2026 is scheduled for March 28, featuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The legislators’ ticket demands have sparked a debate on social media.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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