2 in race to head city BJP

NEW DELHI: With the chance of BJP state president Vijay Goel being removed increasing with each passing day, party sources claim the senior leadership has now zoomed in on Uttam Nagar MLA, Pawan Sharma, and Janakpuri councillor, Ashish Sood, as likely candidates to head the state wing.
Sources say, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the senior leadership has decided to change the face of the party
.The view that the state chief be from the Punjabi community is weighing on the leadership, brightening Sood's prospects. Sharma, who has served as the party's general secretary (organization) in the past, is believed to be a much experienced hand, while Sood comes across as a young face who can counter the growing Aam Aadmi factor in Delhi. Sood, now in his early forties, got associated with the right-wing party as an ABVP leader.
"Several senior level meetings have been held over the past few days to decide the next state leader. The party is expected to take the final call by next week," said a senior leader.
Till last week, councilor Satish Upadhyay and Sharma were believed to be the frontrunners for the post. However, with Upadhyay likely to be elected as the chairman of South Delhi Municipal Corporation, his chances have become bleak.
Besides Sood, other Punjabi names doing the rounds include former Janakpuri councilor and former mayor, Prithvi Raj Sahani.