 By IANS
New Delhi : Pratibha Patil, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential nominee, Wednesday denied allegations of wrongdoing against her, saying they are "motivated".
"In my over five decades of public life, I have endeavoured to be true to my conscience. All the allegations against me are motivated and have already been answered," she said in a statement issued here.
The opposition has charged 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.
The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking directions to the Election Commission to cancel Patil's nomination papers on the ground that she was in debt to the public exchequer.
Patil, who is widely tipped to win the July 19 presidential election, said that she would discharge her duties and responsibilities as president consistent with the constitutional schemes and conventions established by her "illustrious and distinguished predecessors".
She added that it was an honour to be a candidate for the highest office of the world's largest democracy.
"I shall seek votes of the electoral college in a spirit of humility. Under no circumstances should the campaign directly or indirectly demean the dignity of the highest office," Patil said.
Patil is pitted against Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, an independent nominee of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).