By IANS
Chennai : Pratibha Patil, India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate for the July 19 presidential poll, 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 formally launched her campaign here for the presidential poll.
Patil was referring to charges 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.
"In the last two days, a great deal has been written and spoken about me. I only wish to say that these malicious allegations made against me are false and baseless.
"Despite all attempts to tarnish my image, I will remain steadfast in my commitment to serve my countrymen and women in the highest and most noble tradition of our democracy, and I will continue to serve the nation with humility and with a deep sense of duty," Patil said.
"I am deeply conscious of the great honour bestowed upon me. I am keenly aware of the inspiring responsibility of the office of president.
"It is a significant moment for India's democracy. I have the unique privilege of being nominated UPA candidate for the presidential election. I will have the great honour, when I am elected president, of becoming India's first woman president," she added.
Patil arrived here Sunday afternoon and formally launched her campaign by addressing a massive rally organised by the DMK and the Congress here.
Speaking at the colourful show of strength by the women's wings of the two parties, Patil said: "I bow to Tamil Nadu's women for standing by me and demonstrating such a massive show of support."
She read out her speech from a written text in English.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi appealed to Patil "to play a major role" in securing 33.3 percent reservation for women in parliament and the legislatures.
The veteran Dravidian leader said "this is the only return favour we expect for our support" to Patil in the presidential election.
"It is an honour for Tamil Nadu that Thirumati (Mrs) Patil is launching her campaign in Chennai," he maintained.
Congress leaders Jayanthi Natarajan, E.V.K.S. Elangovan and M. Veerappa Moily accompanied Patil.
Moily, in-charge of the party in Tamil Nadu, told reporters later: "She (Patil) is going to have a tremendous victory… those who do not support her will be totally exposed before the nation."
Nearly 100,000 women participated in the rally in support of Patil, as musicians, dance ensembles, tableaux of the Red Fort and cut-outs of Patil along with DMK leader M.K. Stalin flooded Chennai's main artery, the Mount Road.
The DMK threw the full weight of its support behind Patil with the party's central ministers T.R. Baalu and A. Raja and other party leaders were also present at the rally.