Bengaluru: The controversy over free IPL passes for legislators continues to escalate, with dissent emerging within political parties.BJP’s Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar termed it “unfortunate” that legislators sought tickets on the floor of the assembly to watch matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He said he would not accept any free IPL tickets.Saturday, he wrote to assembly speaker UT Khader, asking that no IPL tickets be issued in his name. His decision comes amid criticism of legislators seeking tickets , with the controversy snowballing into a larger debate on VIP treatment and political entitlement.“It is deplorable that legislators asked for tickets and special privileges when the tragedy in which 11 innocent people lost their lives is still fresh in our memory. I am shocked and numbed by the insensitivity of my legislator colleagues,” Suresh Kumar said, referring to the stampede at the stadium in June last year.He recalled that the people on the streets have asked him, “Do legislators go to the assembly to discuss people’s problems or to seek favours for themselves? Are legislators meant to protect people’s interests or take care of their own personal interests? I am at a loss for replies to the questions.”JD(S) functionary Nikhil Kumaraswamy termed the issuance of free IPL passes to legislators as discriminatory, questioning the need for such a privilege.“It is not difficult for MLAs to purchase tickets for themselves and their families to watch IPL matches. Don’t ordinary citizens buy tickets and watch games? Why this discriminatory attitude?” he said, adding that people should recognise that everyone is equal.
