Putin support rally same day as opposition

MOSCOW, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- A support rally for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's campaign for president is scheduled for the same day as a massive opposition march in Moscow.

Sergei Neverov, a deputy State Duma speaker of Putin's United Russia party, said the event in Moscow was not planned by the party, but many party members are likely to attend, RIA Novosti reported.

"As far as I know, a rally in Moscow is planned on [Feb. 4], and everyone is invited. I, personally, will also attend if I get an invitation from the organizing committee," Neverov said.

Meanwhile, Moscow's City Hall authorized a 50,000-person opposition march followed by a rally to protest the results of the December parliamentary elections, also on Feb. 4. The event will be held in Moscow's Golden Ring area.