BANGALORE: The row between the Karnataka Legislative Assembly members and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) hit a new low with the MLA of Ramdurg constituency Ashok Pattan M demanding transparency in the allotment of 20 per cent of tickets that BCCI allotted to the state cricket boards during the Indian Premium League (IPL).
Addressing the media, Ashok demanded that KSCA provide a list of names to whom the tickets were allotted. “Nearly 8,000 tickets are allocated and there is no record as to who has received them,” he said. He accused the state cricket board of misusing these tickets/complimentary passes. He also said that entertainment tax should be applicable on match tickets.
“The same reply would be now demanded from the football and hockey stadium about the stadium being sub-leased. The matter of cricket passes and taxes came to light in the wake of the volatile situation between the KSCA and the elected representative, who KSCA accused of pressurising to get passes.” said Ashok.
He further added that they had come to meet Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. “We have come to meet the CM to demand immediate relief package for the drought hit areas in North Karnataka. We had time so we highlighted the issue of passes in KSCA.”
Narendra Babu and BC Patil who were also present at the event corroborated with Ashok’s argument and demanded information from KSCA regarding the tickets. The KSCA president, vice-president and secretary were accused of not performing their duties.