Chandigarh/IBNS, April 18 -- At a time the country is heading to the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, Congress faced massive setback in Chandigarh as 80 of its city leaders quit the party over an alleged disrespect shown to former MP Pawan Bansal, media reports said.

The mass resignation followed after several were upset over Chandigarh Congress chief H S Luckys Instagram post after Manish Tiwari was announced the candidate from the Chandigarh seat.

Despite the embarrassment, senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla claimed Bansal is with the grand old party.

Shukla told The Indian Express, Bansal ji is with us. He is always with the party. These are temporary reactions which happen in every political party They (those who resigned) are...