The meeting in Chandigarh saw Punjab Congress leaders squeezed into a single SUV, with Sachin Pilot at the wheel and KC Venugopal in the front seat. Partap Singh Bajwa, Charanjit Singh Channi, Raja Warring, and Pargat Singh crowded the rear, creating a visibly cramped tableau that drew public attention.
BJP and AAP officials seized the moment to attack the Punjab unit's perceived Delhi dominance. AAP Punjab spokesperson Baltej Pannu posted a sardonic caption that the state unit was "sitting in the lap" of Delhi leaders, noting Pilot hailed from Moga, Venugopal from Hoshiarpur, and that state president Pargat Singh had no seat in the vehicle.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu echoed the criticism, remarking that Delhi leaders had "tied up" the Punjab Congress into a bundle and were "throwing it into the car," and he urged media to watch whether they could "get out safely." The comment added to the mockery aimed at portraying Congress leaders as physically cramped and politically constrained.
In retaliation, Congress stalwart Durlabh Singh posted a clip of AAP Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hanging from a moving vehicle during a roadshow, contrasting the situation by stating that Punjab Congress leaders were "inside the car" rather than "hanging from the side." The post, accompanied by a laughing emoji, escalated the exchange into a broader battle of one‑upmanship.
The incident arrives as Punjab gears up for the 2027 assembly elections, with all parties sharpening their social‑media tactics. The Punjab Congress is scrambling to present a united front amid claims of Delhi interference, while BJP and AAP are set to intensify their attacks in the coming weeks as the campaign season ramps up.