VIP ticket row: Karnataka MLAs, MPs to get 2 passes each for IPL opener at Chinnaswamy stadium; Surya slams lawmakers

BENGALURU: State govt Friday announced MLAs, MPs and ministers will receive two passes each for Saturday's IPL opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, reports Suchith Kidiyoor.The decision comes a day after legislators from both sides of the aisle demanded four passes per MLA for all matches at the stadium - a demand that ignited a firestorm of online criticism and invited allegations of entitlement and VIP culture.After a meeting with Karnataka State Cricket Association president Venkatesh Prasad and other office-bearers, deputy CM DK Shivakumar said KSCA has agreed to give two passes each to MLAs, MPs and ministers. Govt non-committal on No. of passes for legislators"The assembly speaker had suggested four passes each be given to lawmakers. Since most tickets have been sold out, they're giving two each," he said.The govt was non-committal on the number of passes for legislators for subsequent IPL and other matches at the stadium.Earlier, lawmakers were getting one ticket each. Vijayananda Kashappanavar, Congress MLA from Hungund, had on Thursday sought five tickets to legislators' family and a separate lounge claiming MLAs are VIPs.Stating that public office is a responsibility and not a privilege, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya called for an end to VIP culture. He said, "Had MLAs spent time in Vidhana Soudha discussing safety and security preparedness for IPL fans, it would have upheld the dignity of the House. Instead, we saw MLAs pleading - and threatening - to get free tickets. 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?"Shivakumar said Surya should, instead, lecture his party colleagues first. Trying to stay in the clear, BJP's R Ashoka Friday claimed he had sought tickets for party workers, not for his family.“Whenever matches are played in Bengaluru, party workers and cricket clubs in legislators’ constituencies approach MLAs for tickets. I’m not asking for myself, but for party workers and the public," Shivakumar said.