Opposition to rally against government on Republic Day

MUMBAI: Opposition leaders from several political parties are set to converge in the city on January 26 to take part in a mega rally being organised to target the BJP-led governments in Maharashtra and the Centre.

The list of leaders expected to attend ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save the Constitution) Rally include Sharad Pawar of the NCP, Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Sitaram Yechury of the CPI-M, Sharad Yadav of the JD-U, Gujarat Congress MLAs Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel. Former Bombay High Court judge BG Kolse-Patil and Purshottam Khedekar of the Maratha Seva Sangh may also be present.

Organisers have also reached out to Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to be part of the rally. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said senior party leaders from the state would participate in the rally. The silent rally will move from near Mantralaya to the Gateway of India.


“The idea for the rally came from some IIT students. We have all seen the situation prevailing in the country for the last three years since the BJP came to power. Recently, union minister Anant Kumar Hegde spoke about changing the Constitution. This rally is a response to that,” NCP leader Jitendra Avhad told ET.

He said that though politicians from across the spectrum would participate, the rally will not be political.