KASKI: Bidya Bhattarai, candidate for the member to the House of Representatives from the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has garnered 20,797 votes so far, and is close to win the by-election in Kaski-2.

Her closest rival of Nepali Congress contender Khem Raj Paudel has got 12,261 votes so far.

Dharmaraj Gurung of Samajwadi Party is third with 1,503 votes and Rajani KC of Sajha Party has received 457 votes.

Kaski Constituency 2 had been vacant after late Minister Rabindra Adhikari had died in a helicopter crash.

In the previous election, Adhikari had defeated Nepali Congress candidate Debraj Chalise by 8, 546 votes.

Adhikari had secured 27, 207 votes while Chalise had obtained 18, 661 votes.