The dispute over the decision to base the headquarters of Parbat’s Jaljala Rural Municipality in Majhphant, which was expected to be resolved after the election of local representatives, has festered with the disaffected locals from five wards now threatening to go to court to settle the matter.

The people from the wards 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, who have been protesting the decision of the Local Level Restructuring Commission to set up the headquarters in Majhphant, are preparing to file a lawsuit, claiming that the local representatives elected at the top posts are now refusing to pick a more centrally-located place for an administrative centre, going against the promise made to them in the run-up to the elecitons.

The elected representatives from the five wards have also supported the locals’ protest.

“The five wards represent more than half of the population of Jaljala, and they feel that the current headquarters at Majhphant is not situated at a convenient location. The elected local representatives should listen to the people and address their demand,” said Hari Bikash GC, chairperson of Jaljala-8. “The chairperson and the executive officer of Jaljala are refusing to heed to the call of the majority.”

The elected representatives from the five wards organised a press conference in Kusma, the district headquarters of Parbat, on Monday to announce that they will not be participating in the executive council meeting until the administrative centre of Jaljala is replaced.

Ram Krishna Malla, chairman of Jaljala Rural Municipality, meanwhile, refused to give in to the demand pressed by the people and the representatives from the five wards.

“We cannot just change the administrative centre as per the wish of a certain section of people. I have convened the executive council’s meeting for this Thursday and it is my hope that this issue will be settled,” he said.