I've always abided by principles of democracy: Pratibha Patil

Ahmedabad, Jul 15 (UNI) UPA nominee for the Presidential elections Pratibha Patil today said she had always abided by the principles of democracy but efforts were being made to malign her image.

''In my 45 years of public life, I have faced many challenges. I have worked for village development, education and women's empowerment,'' she said while addressing a meeting of Congress leaders here.

She said, ''The 2007 Presidential election will be the most important moment in the history of Indian democracy. And I am very fortunate that UPA, Left and other parties have proposed my name as a candidate for the election.'' If elected, she would be the ''first Indian woman to become the President of India since 60 years of India's independence,'' she said.

The victory as a President would be the victory of millions of common Indians, she reiterated.

During her two-hour visit to Gujarat, Mrs Patil met Congress legislators and MPs from the state to mobilise support for her candidature to the President's post.

She said she visited Sabarmati Ashram and garlanded the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhai Patel. ''I have always taken inspiration from them,'' she said.

She said Gujarat is the birthplace of Dadabhai Navroji and Swami Dayanand too. It had made great strides in various sectors and the milk revolution was a great example for everybody, she added.

UNI