Al Jazeera English unveils coverage plans for Indian General Elections 2014

Lines up an array of special coverage focused on the most crucial issues - economy, food, health, corruption and security 

Delhi, April 4, 2014:

As the world's largest democracy prepares to vote, Al Jazeera English will provide TV and online in-depth analysis on India's future, lining-up an array of special coverage focused on the most crucial issues - economy, food, health, corruption and security.

As part of the coverage, Al Jazeera will have six correspondents traveling across the country to report on what this election means for India and the world. From across the political landscape, Al Jazeera English will present a detailed report card on the main issues faced by Indians, profiling leaders and engaging voters' expectations.

Speaking about Al Jazeera's Indian election coverage, Al Anstey, Managing Director, Al Jazeera said, “India is the world's biggest democracy and the country is diverse in opinion and sentiment. Al Jazeera will attempt to reflect the voices of people ranging from the metropolitan hubs of Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad; to the rural landscapes of Rajasthan and Kerala. AlJazeera's coverage will encompass TV, online and social media which will ensure real opinion, thought and voices will be heard.”

The coverage of the election will be a mixture of news and programmes including Al Jazeera's Nidhi Dutt exploring the issue of food inflation and the impact on rice farmers in West Bengal. AlJazeera's Sohail Rahman will investigate the recent attack by Maoist rebels in Chattisgarh and talk about the internal security issues the government faces ahead of the general elections.

Karishma Vyas will travel to Gujarat, the home state of BJP leader Narendra Modi - who has been credited by some with transforming the state into an economic powerhouse and look at the rise of Hindu nationalism.  Faiz Jamil will explore the people in Assam who are demanding a separate state called Bodoland, while Nidhi Dutt will be speaking to Suhas Chakma, a northeastern India expert, on his views on alienation of northeast India from the mainland, what corruption costs the economy and the measures that should be taken to overcome that.

Al Jazeera's Baba Umar and Kamal Kumar will be traveling the length and breadth of India speaking to the common man. They will be focusing via multimedia the concerns and hopes towards the elections, the parties and their candidates.

Al Jazeera will also be airing special programmes leading to up to election as Nidhi Dutt will focus on health in a one hour special, analysing the measures taken by the major political parties in India to provide healthcare facilities to the citizens of West Bengal. Al Jazeera's 101 East will go on India's campaign trail with the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi asking if he is the right man for Modern India.

As social media will be playing a key role in the elections the hashtags #AJIndia and #IndiaElections which will be tracked by the online team and the social media programme The Stream.

Al Jazeera's flagship discussion programme Inside Story will also debate the key election points before and after the vote.

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