Pratibha Patil dismisses allegation as baseless

Guwahati, July 13 (UNI) UPA Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil today dismissed the allegation of corruption against her, terming as ''baseless and motivated''.

Addressing the Congress and its allies' Legislators of North East at a campaign meeting here, Ms Patil said, '' The allegations against me are totally baseless. These are aimed at maligning my image. '' Her statement was aimed at the campaign, set in motion by the NDA and other parties, though she did not name anybody.

The former Rajasthan Governor further said, '' I have been serving the country with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so in the future. '' Seeking support, Ms Patil said, '' If you help me, I will be the President of the world's largest democracy. Being the first woman President is itself a matter of pride. '' She also referred to the Asom connection of former President late Fakurrudin Ali Ahmed and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Presidential post candidate also showered praises on UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi and said, '' Ms Gandhi is helping the empowerment of women in the country in a big way and the selection of a woman candidate for the highest post itself speaks for it. '' Ms Patil was accompanied by Union Ministers Oscar Fernandes and Pritiviraj Chauhan, Congress observers Digvijay Singh and Chandan Bagchi and AICC spokesperson Jayanati Natarajan.

The meeting was attended by most of the congress Legislators and its allies in the NE states. The Chief Ministers of Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh were present, besides the host - Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Ms Patil also met the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) leadership. The AUDF, a stout rival of the Congress in the state, had announced unconditional support for the UPA candidate.

Earlier, BJP leader and former Union Minister Arun Shourie had visited the state to drum up support for Mr Shekhawat. He had met the state Legislators of the party.

Mr Shourie had also held informal talks with the main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) chief Brindabon Goswami and few Independent Legislators from the state.

The AGP, with 24 MLAs, two Lok Sabha members and one member in the Rajya Sabha, is yet to announce its support to either of the candidates.

Ms Patil and Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shkehawat are facing each other in the July 19 election. Mr Shekhawat is fighting the election as an Independent candidate, backed by the BJP-led NDA.

UNI