No violation of model code, says Malhotra

In a reply to the Election Commission, BJP8217;s chief ministerial candidate Vijay Kumar Malhotra denied he had violated the model code of conduct while filing his nomination on Saturday. Malhotra had been served a notice by the EC on overcrowding the returning officer8217;s room and bringing with him a huge crowd of supporters. 8220;I went to file my nomination accompanied only by my wife and Harsh Vardhan,8221; said Malhotra.

A crowd of persons had collected outside the office long before I reached there. I did not bring anyone along, neither the police nor the officials made a request to them to disperse,8221; he wrote in his reply.

At the time of Malhotra8217;s filing the nomination papers, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Om Prakash Chautala, Prakash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Vijay Goel, Harshvardhan, Subash Arya and Arti Mehra were present in the room of the returning officer. According to the EC rules, not more than five people are allowed.