Bengaluru, March 26 (NationPress) During a session in the Assembly on Thursday, the matter of IPL match tickets for Karnataka MLAs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was brought to light, prompting Speaker U.T. Khader to call on the government to engage with the relevant authorities. Khader noted that legislators are currently only receiving one standard ticket, primarily due to worries that MLAs often transfer their tickets to others, which can lead to overcrowding and management challenges in the VIP section.

This situation has been causing significant discomfort and embarrassment for the MLAs. “When an MLA attends a match, the staff may not recognize them, resulting in a lack of respect. Consequently, many MLAs are hesitant to participate in the matches,” he expressed.

The Speaker proposed inviting the concerned authorities for discussions to establish a transparent policy. He recommended that each MLA should be allotted a minimum of four tickets and emphasized the need for proper recognition at the venue. His suggestions were met with applause from the other legislators.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka criticized the compliance of the authorities, urging the government to exercise its regulatory powers. He raised concerns regarding the issuance of CL-7 liquor licenses at Chinnaswamy Stadium during matches and the operation of bars within the venue. “If we tighten regulations, they will comply,” he commented.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assured that he would address the issue.

Several MLAs pointed out that the IPL matches are set to commence on March 28 and insisted that each legislator should receive at least five tickets along with appropriate recognition at the event.

Khader clarified that MLAs should not approach him directly for tickets and should instead discuss the matter with the Deputy Chief Minister. Additionally, some legislators called for the establishment of a dedicated gallery for MLAs and ministers at the stadium to guarantee suitable seating and protocol.

Ashoka insisted that MLAs would persist in seeking the Speaker's assistance on this matter.

Shivakumar responded to the concerns, stating he would communicate with the President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). “There’s nothing inappropriate about MLAs requesting tickets for IPL matches in Bengaluru. I will relay this as a direction from the Speaker and a request from the Leader of the Opposition,” he assured, confirming that the issue would be resolved.

The IPL matches in Bengaluru are set to kick off on March 28, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The demand from MLAs has sparked a lively discussion on social media within the state.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara recently inaugurated a memorial outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to honor 11 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede during the team’s IPL victory celebrations. He paid floral tributes to the victims.

This memorial has been erected near the stadium to pay homage to those who perished during the post-celebration events following RCB’s IPL title victory.