According to the BJP Delhi party sources, major changes in the composition of the Assembly election candidates, are in the offing. About 50 per cent of the elderly legislators will be replaced by younger candidates. And this was amply reflected in the emotion-filled parting statement made by the veteran BJP leader. Goel said: ``I have completed 71 years of my life and have reached a conclusion that politicians of my age should make way for the younger generation''.

Thanking the party's central leadership and the local BJP members for supporting him for 36 years, Goel assured them of his support in the coming Assembly elections as also during the rest of his life. ``If my party, at any time, calls upon me to shoulder any responsibility, I will unhesitatingly carry out the directions with total commitment. I have never let down my constituency and the party workers,'' he added.

However, that is unlikely to happen. And Goel, whose son has also been contesting Delhi Assembly elections on BJP ticket, is not the only person to go.

``The leadership has decided to induct young blood, new faces in the coming elections. The party realises it has to keep pace with the changing times. This is the best way to keep the party vibrant,'' the BJP party sources said.

By deciding to go for a younger look, the BJP has again once outmoded its main rival -- the Congress. A similar resolution prepared by Madavrao Scindia and Ahmed Patel calling for voluntary retirement of leaders above 70 years, never saw the light at the much-proclaimed Panchmarhi conclave.

Even though the resolution was prepared on the express orders of the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, it was never raised at Panchmari just to appease aging leaders, like Vijay Bhaskar Reddy. ``But the BJP was faster on the uptake. They not only pinched the idea off the lethargic Congress, but have begun acting on it in full force,'' a senior political analyst commented.

But, post-Jhinjhouli, when age has become such an important factor, the Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma seemed to have firmed up his position. Just 50 plus, he is.