New Delhi, Mar 6 (IANS): Most markets in the national capital will be closed Thursday till 2 p.m. as traders down shutters to protest the government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, protesters said Wednesday.

A rally will be held at Ramlila Ground by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Thursday.

"We are expecting a large number of traders to participate in the 'Save Retail Democracy' tomorrow (Thursday) at Ramlila Ground to withdraw the government decision to allow FDI in retail," Narender Madan, Delhi unit president, CAIT told IANS Wednesday.

He said the wholesale and retail markets in Walled City, Sadar Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Chawri Bazar, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate, Tilak Nagar, Rohini, Krishna Nagar will remain closed, among others.

"Traders are being met with step-motherly treatment and the government is working under the pressure of big corporate houses and the global powers and the acts and laws are being framed as per their convenience," Madan said.

According to organisers, the rally is expected to draw thousands of traders across the country, it will begin around 10.30 a.m. and end by 2 p.m.

"We have called upon all the traders' associations across the country to participate in the rally, which will start from 10.30 a.m and end by about 2 p.m. After the rally, traders can open markets," Madan said.

Among those participating in the protest are top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) like party chief Rajnath Singh, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Janata Dal-United (JDU) chief Sharad Yadav and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader A.B.Bardhan are also expected to participate in the rally.