Fans furious as Karnataka MLAs granted two free tickets for RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026 clash in Bengaluru: 'Have some dignity'

Despite controversy, Karnataka government allowed its MLAs to get two free tickets each for the Indian Premier League 2026 season opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) that will take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.

Earlier, Congress legislator Vijayanand Kashappanavar had raised the demand of four tickets for every MLA to watch the IPL in stadium. He said that the legislators could not stand in line like normal people and also added that this demand for tickets cut across party lines. The statement triggered a backlash on social media with fans questioning the ‘VIP culture’.

Karnataka govt allows MLAs 2 tickets each

Even as fans criticised the demand, the government went on to give two free tickets for every MLA for the opening game of the season.

“Four tickets can’t be given. So, every MLA, MP and Minister used to get one seat each. Now, we have requested them to give two tickets if the family members go. For tomorrow’s first match, they will get two tickets. For the next match, we will discuss later," Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was quoted as saying by ANI.

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The announcement comes after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy met former India cricketer and the current Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad on Friday.

The demand triggered political storm in the state as well. BJP leaders criticised Congress for the ‘VIP’ culture.

“We legislators are not bigger or different from the common man. We should not be asking for special privileges. I am opposed to this idea of legislators asking for IPL tickets,” Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra said.

Tejasvi Surya of BJP also slammed Congress leaders alleging that they had forced Prasad to bend to their demands.

This picture says more than a thousand words.

It captures, in one frame, what our political culture has been reduced to.

A national icon like Venkatesh Prasad, a man who brought pride to India, whose spells against Pakistan are etched permanently in our collective memory, is… pic.twitter.com/pPdXfC0pci

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 27, 2026

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Former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi too criticised the Karnataka government calling the demand ‘completely nonsense’. Fans also blasted the Siddaramaiah-led government

This is absolutely complete nonsense. Why should they be privileged. It’s the fan who made the @IPL not the elected representatives. Yet they want it as their birth right. In as Asian country recently a minister was sacked for taking two free tickets from the promoter for an… https://t.co/U6kdkCvlmP

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 27, 2026

These MLAs should occupy the 11 vacant seats left empty for the fans who died in last year’s stampede. This will remind everyone who was responsible for the incident.

— Samhita (@Samhitab4u) March 27, 2026

They will even get free tickets for their families at tax payer's expense. Common people in Karnataka are busy quarrelling over Language. So pityful. In India we give all the privileges to privileged and leave the downtrodden with lifelong struggles and contempt. 😓🤦🏻‍♂️

— Dhananjay Rathore (@schrodinger_c7) March 27, 2026

What's wrong with our Karnataka MLA's, have some dignity gys begging openly in the media for ipl tickets? What will the young ones learn from this atleast at your own house??
Did the govt approve this just to reply for opposition??
Cricket should be free from politics.
Pathetic!

— Akshay (@Akshay280797) March 27, 2026

Never seen a state so desperate for IPL tickets. Karnataka Congress is reaching a stage where they need to see a doctor more than an IPL match. pic.twitter.com/kkQ8h7hZY6

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) March 27, 2026

Bengaluru is back at hosting major games for the first time since the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB’s IPL win last year.