Gangtok, Sep 11 (IANS): Sikkim's ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is facing a challenge from a young BJP candidate in its bastion of Rangang-Yangang in the assembly by-poll Saturday.

The by-poll was necessitated after Chief Minister Pawan Chamling resigned from the seat and retained Namchi-Singhithang, having contested and won from both the constituencies in the April assembly polls.

While the SDF contestant is a 32-year-old woman, Kumari Manger, the Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated 26-year-old Bikash Basnet.

Basnet took on Chamling in the April polls on a Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) ticket but lost by over 3,000 votes.

The SKM is not in the fray this time, and is lending support to the BJP.

Also in the fray is Bishnu Prasad Adhikari of the Congress, while the presence of two Independents has made it a five-cornered contest.

Independent candidate Rup Narayan Chamling is chief minister Chamling's brother.

In 2009, Chandra Bahadur Karki of the SDF had defeated Avinash Yakha of the Congress by 3,197 votes.

There are over 11,700 electors, who will cast their votes in 14 polling stations in three sectors.

The votes will be counted Sep 16.