A fresh controversy has erupted in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district after a woman accused BJP MLA Hansraj of harassment and issuing threats to her family.

The legislator, however, has dismissed the allegations, calling them an attempt to incite “communal tension”.

A purported video of the woman making the accusations has gone viral on social media. The woman had earlier filed an FIR against Hansraj last year, alleging that he sent her obscene messages and demanded nude pictures, news agency PTI reported.

In the new video, the woman alleged that some people were trying to defame her by claiming she had accepted money to make the charges against the MLA. She further claimed she was under pressure to withdraw her complaint.

“If any harm comes to my family members, I will not spare the MLA,” she said in the clip, breaking down in tears.

The woman also alleged that Hansraj’s wife had threatened that he would “settle scores” once he became a minister.

“He has ruined my life and I have nothing to lose now,” she said.

Expressing her loss of faith in the police and other authorities, she said she turned to social media because “no action” was being taken and that officials were pressuring her to compromise with the MLA. She also accused a doctor and a junior engineer of misbehaving with her father.

Responding to the allegations, Hansraj — a three-time MLA representing the Churah constituency — released a video refuting the claims. He said the woman was “like my daughter” and recalled that she had made similar accusations last year as well. According to him, the police had investigated the matter and filed a closure report.

Hansraj said that the woman is repeating the same allegations and I was “unable to understand her motive.”

Describing the development as “a sinister move to trigger communal violence,” he urged the police to probe the matter thoroughly.

Terming the issue “serious,” the MLA said he would file a defamation case to “get to the root of the matter”.

He alleged that the charges were aimed at halting Churah’s development and “tarnishing his image” as an emerging leader from Chamba.