Patna: UPA-Left presidential contender, Pratibha Patil, Tuesday showed assurance about her triumph regardless of the opponent attacks to tarnish her reflection.

While addressing a meeting for her campaigning, she told, “I have faced a number of challanges in the 50 years of my public life. An attempt is being made to besmirch my image, but my commitment to the glorious traditions of democracy and to the people of India remains unshaken.”

Ms. Patil added, “The July 19 Presidential election will be a crucial moment in the history of Indian democracy.”

“With your blessings, I will get the honour to serve as the first woman President of the Republic. My victory will not be only mine, but of the crores of people of the country, she said.

In her four-page speech on paper that was released to the media after the private meeting, she recalled the sacrifices made by Mahatma Gandhi, the first President, Rajendra Prasad, and others in the freedom fight.

Addressing the media after she left, RJD president Lalu Prasad and his LJP counterpart, Ramvilas Paswas, exuded confidence that Patil would have an easy victory in the poll.