Moscow, Tuesday: A day after what was one of the largest anti-Kremlin protests in recent years; it is now the Kremlin supporters, who are also on the roads. Thousands of supporters took to the streets today to counter the opposition.

Kremlin Supporters

On Monday, as many as around ten thousand Russians were demonstrating against the alleged rigging of the elections by the government. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested by the police.

Two main leaders of the protests were sentenced to 15 days in jail. Included in it is Mr. Navalnyi, a popular opposition blogger. The verdict is being taken by wide range of human rights activists and intellectuals as unnecessarily harsh, as they suspect it would lead to strengthening of the opposition.

Detention of protestors has been reported from Petersburg and other major cities as well. While the initial protests were legal as permission was sought for them, the present protests are not sanctioned so the protesters are on risk of arrest. Though the supporters are on the road, they don’t seem to outdo the opposition protests.

Meanwhile, Mr. Putin has commented on the results as good. He said such losses were inevitable for a ruling party. His party could secure only below 50 percent of vote against the 64 percent it could four years back.

This is despite the alleged rigging of the votes. Even the officials are surprised on Putin’s inclinations to retain the office amid such outspoken protests. The vote percentage still legally allows his party to rule Russia.