MUMBAI: As the Maharashtra Assembly Elections draws closer, news channels are gearing up for the coverage of the same. Star News, on its behalf has rolled out two on-ground initiatives as a part of its special coverage for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections. With these initiatives, the channel is looking to reach out to the common man and bring to light their views, opinions and dissent.     
            
In the first initiative called - Maratha Express – two Star News teams will tour various towns across Maharashtra and will present a detailed report on each town featuring its history, its culture, the problems facing the people, the political developments over the years, and most importantly chats involving the people and their local leaders.

One team will begin its quest from the city located in the centre of India – Nagpur and the other from Mumbai. From 18 September onwards, these reports are on air daily at 6.30 pm as part of the elections special segment – Maharashtra Mein Mahabharat.

In the second initiative, Star News has rolled out vans to promote its Maharashtra Elections special Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri across the state of Maharashtra. This month long activity was kick-started on 19 September and involves three Star News - Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri 'raths' (chariots), which will tour 89 towns in Maharashtra.

These 'raths' will make the common man aware of the channel's special shows for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections. In a move to attract the people, these vans will have interactive games for people based on the elections theme. People can participate in these games and win exciting prizes. These vans will also air the channel live in all these towns, and bring people up-to-date election coverage along with other news.

These vans will also inform people about the on-ground debates to be conducted in certain specific towns across Maharashtra and encourage them to participate.