Attempts underway to sully my image: Pratibha

Bhopal, July 11 (UNI) UPA's government's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil today said that she would continue to be dedicated to the service of the country while remaining unperturbed by ongoing attempts to ''sully'' her image.

The comment was made during a local meeting of Congress MPs, MLAs and other parties' public representatives supporting Ms Patil who is drumming up support in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, neighbouring Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh ahead of the July 19 presidential election.

''I have confronted numerous challenges in 45 years of public life. I made untiring efforts regarding education, rural development and empowerment of women. However, attempts to sully my image began as soon as I was declared a presidential nominee,'' she added.

Ms Patil assured fellow citizens that she would continue to humbly and sincerely dedicate herself to the nation's service with commitment for upholding the lofty traditions of democracy.

Among those present were Union ministers Arjun Singh, Suresh Pachouri, Kantilal Bhuria, AICC General Secretary Satyavrat Chaturvedi, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, the party's state incharge V Narayanasamy and other leaders.

''It is my good fortune that I have been fielded by the UPA, Left and other parties. After being elected, I will have the honour of serving as India's first lady president,'' Ms Patil noted.

Pointing out that secularism was a basic principle of the Constitution, she added that the nature of economic development should be such that the weaker section, SC, ST, Backward Classes, youth and women benefit equally.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi said there was no doubt that Ms Patil would be elected. ''The BJP is levelling baseless allegations against her,'' she added.

Other speakers were Congress state unit supremo Subhash Yadav, NCP MLA Hamid Qazi, the RSD's Harsh Singh and independent MLA Dileep Gurjar.

UNI