How will the poll equations in Delhi change now, with AAP's sting operation, which it claims is fake?

The equations won't change significantly, in my opinion. Aam Aadmi Party should get used to such defaming tactics if they are to play with the sharks. Such kind of "stings" aren't out of place when election season comes along. It seems as if the spectre of elections gives the candidates an unlimited license to speak trash about the opposition. Just wait and watch, as the Lok Sabha elections come nearer, politicians will spew such venom that cannot be imagined, and that too on national television. The thing with Aam Aadmi Party is, their biggest chunk of supporters is in the middle class, and that middle class is already aware of the shenanigans of the established parties. So I doubt this sting operation would have affected them that much. Although it is commendable that AAP stuck to their guns and proved that they are still clean.

A2A The way I see it, this sting might not have resulted in loss of votes but definitely has not increased support for AAP either. Majority of the supporters declared that the video was doctored and manipulated as soon as they saw it. They could clearly see how Congress and BJP have ganged up against AAP and are trying to show it in poor light.   But there were some, highly disappointed and outraged. I came across comments like "I respected AK sir a lot but I guess all politicians are the same." "I want my 5000 back." "Thank you Media Sarkar for showing the real face of AAP". "Who should I trust now? If people from the Aam Aadmi Party can take money how can I question others?" This, before AAP saw the raw footage and gave its members a clean chit. Now, as mentioned in her answer that 'the confusion created by the scam could have caused an initial loss of votes but the subsequent clarifications would have swung them back to AAP.' But we cannot say to what extent. Also, the recent withdrawal of party membership by Nutan Thakur has left the voter skeptical. The party had set its standards quite high. Although their core support base is intact, this incident might leave the undecided voters in dilemma. Hence, I don't see significant changes in the equation because they came out clean. But if there are any, I'm quite afraid that they won't be in AAP's favour. I desperately want them to ace Delhi elections.

They won't change much. AAP has opposed the sting very aggressively, which has caused its supporters to (a) Very carefully observe the sting (and thus clearly realize that its fake) (b) Defend and support AAP more vociferously across online and offline domains I believe the sting would have caused much more damage if it would NOT have followed a series of less-intense, less-intelligent attempts at maligning AAP. Over the past few days, several allegations have been raised against AAP, but they all had very obvious fallacies. If the sting was the first allegation made on AAP, people might have been swayed, but those other allegations have made it clear to everyone that malicious efforts are being made against them, and they now understand that AAP will come out clean of all such issues, or at least, they wait for AAP's response to the allegation before forming an opinion. Of course, AAP, so far, has given very impressive rebuttals (for instance, promising removal of candidates if the EC even raises a doubt on them) to all allegations, only increasing people's trust in them, and hence their support.

This incident increased the anger, the resolve and the passion of the volunteeers. Even most jounralists claimed the sting was a fake one. Even the Election commision has said the sting holds no value.   http://news.oneindia.in/new-delhi/aap-sting-operation-footage-doesn-t-violate-norms-election-commission-1346845.html   The end result - More vigorous campaigning by the angry volunteers and hence, expect a net rise favouring

A2A; Slums for congress, Religion for BJP and thinking humans for AAP, not much swing because of the sting operation. A hungry man cares little for corruption, it would be better if we talk as little as possible about BJP and modi; the thinkers, youth and triers will play a major rule in the upcoming election.  CongJP and BJCong try their best to ruin something different from happening. So, expect new allegations to come out in the next few days, they could be at any level and to any extent. It depends how the media project it. A lot hinges in the media now,the kind of people they invite for TV discussions, the way they project any suspicious news they find and the way they succumb to corruption and conservative religious forces. Though many people disagree I believe media will decide the result as much as the people do in the next few days.

People are not fools in this country. Most of the people who would say against AAP because of this so called sting, will be the ones who already were not supporting them. For hose who are supporting AAP, there faith will only increase. Proof: Look at the people's reaction in this video after this so called sting.

The equations will be coming more in favor of AAP. This whole sting operation had actually favored them and has acted like their advertisement. They were in need of  media coverage which they got without paying anything for more than a day . People who were even unknown of the candidates of AAP, have now seen them live on TV. Those people who have blind faith upon Kejriwal and AAP will now support them even more strongly after AAP has claimed it to be fake and doctored. Besides this will also prove the fans  what Kejriwal says that other parties are conspiring against him and both congress and BJP are afraid of them. Actually Kejriwal is a very cunning leader. He knows what to do at right time. The party which was an unknown face till last year has come so much in equation that it is considered a 3 way fight in Delhi now is all due to his well timed moves. The Andolan had already brought lot of support from people but with Anna and Kiran Bedi deciding not to be with him, He needed more support to fight election. So he cursed BJP, made statements like BJP and congress are all the same, his people targeted MODI more than even the corrupt congress upon Social network and everywhere, and what profit it got in return? The voters who used to vote for congress just because they hated BJP and had no other option thus, had a new option now in the name of AAP. BJP supporters too joined him citing that this is better option for them at least in delhi. Now what happened was Kejriwal did had his share of lime light, but other candidates hadn't. It was such that people doesn't recognize anyone except 4-5 main names in party. So advertising was important and what could be better to bring a sting operation  and then to prove and justify it completely wrong. It will bring eyeballs as well as more support,as people will think everybody is conspiring against them as they are posing a challenge.Sidhi bat hai, jo dikhta hai wahi bikta hai, jiske bare me pata hi nahi wo kya bikega. People can ask that what profit will Media Sarkar will have in helping Kejriwal. So I ask that how many of you have even heard name of MEDIASARKAR before the sting came out. This website would have got maximum hits in a single day, when the sting operation was released. This was actually a mutual work which helped both.  So I think this will help Kejriwal only in the forth coming elections. How much his cunning self will help people of Delhi is a different question which only time can tell.

The net affect of sting is good for AAP. They got a live practice of how to deal with these things and their response was fast and to the point. The fact that sting was a sham, from the raw footage and EC pronouncement, also vindicated them. A thorough process was followed to select candidates, and none of them disappointed. It is clear that the candidates were bold, could have said yes but chose to say no. A very good morale booster for all the volunteers and good PR for the candidates themselves, free of cost. Increased donation to reach the target faster. Lastly, the media took notice and tried to ride the issue for TRP. Good publicity for the party.

A2A. Do you still take AAP into consideration while discussing the poll results ? Do you think it is capable of sweeping more than just a few seats which can in no way determine the equation of power in Delhi ? See things might have been done to defame the AAP but it cannot be taken as a clean party, giving emphasis to only a single concept of corruption. The poll equations in Delhi are still going to be on the side of Congress. It is going to win, not because I am a supporter of Congress but people want stability in progress. AAP can be a significant game changer after the next 5 years only. Not now.