Several opposition leaders will be taking part in the 'Save Constitution March' in Mumbai on Republic Day, being seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-BJP forces ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Maharashtra unit of BJP, on the other hand, has organised 'Tiranga Yatra' in the city on the same day.
NCP president Sharad Pawar, former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, communist leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Dalit MLA from Gujarat Jignesh Mevani and Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel are among those expected to attend the opposition's march.
Independent MP from Maharashtra Raju Shetti, the convener of the march, told PTI that participants will gather at Dr B R Ambedkar's statue near Mumbai university around 1 pm, and walk to Shivaji Maharaj's statue at the Gateway of India.
"This will be a silent morcha (march). After reaching the Gateway, they will stage a sit-in for some time. There will be no speeches," he said.
Pawar will participate in the march, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik confirmed.
Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan and Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam are also taking part.
Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, is also expected to attend, and efforts were on to get leaders of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress to participate in the march, sources close to Shetti said.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP is organising 'Tiranga Yatra' in the city on the same day, apparently to counter the opposition's event.
Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said ministers, MPs and MLAs will participate in the Yatra.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will address the gathering when it converges at Kamgar Maidan, he said.
The BJP has dubbed the rally at Kamgar Maidan as 'Samvidhan Samman rally'.
The procession will start from Chaityabhumi, the memorial of Dr B R Ambedkar in Dadar, before reaching Kamgar Maidan in central Mumbai.
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