By IANS
Chennai : Pratibha Patil, the presidential nominee of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Sunday broke her silence on the allegations levelled against her, terming them "false, malicious and baseless".
"I deny the allegations being made against me right from the day I was named as the UPA's presidential nominee. These allegations are false, malicious and baseless," Patil said a dinner hosted by Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK late Sunday evening.
The dinner followed a rally here at which she launched her campaign here for the presidential poll.
"Despite all attempts to tarnish my image, I will strive to serve the nation," Patil added.
She was referring to reports that a sugar cooperative founded by her in Maharashtra had defaulted in repaying a government loan. She has also been accused of shielding her brother in a murder case.
While the Congress-led UPA had repeatedly defended her, the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had sought an explanation from Patil herself.