Vote that matters beyond Delhi

Assembly poll results will resonate nationally, influence shape of Opposition coalitions

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When Delhi heads to the polling booths today, at stake will be far more than the keys to governing India's Capital. For the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), these elections are a referendum of sorts and represent the most fiercely fought polls in the young outfit's existence. It won a handsome victory in 2020 but then spent the last five years battling corruption charges with virtually its entire frontline leadership behind bars. Other parties have caught up with their signature welfare promises and anti-incumbency sentiment is hurting the party in several seats, prompting the leadership to drop a third of sitting lawmakers. The AAP's campaign has focussed on its core constituency of poor people and slum dwellers to beat back a fierce challenge from the