Shimla, Aug 17 (IANS): The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit Sunday attacked Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for remaining out of the state when the state was witnessing torrential rains and claimed that more than 25 people have died but no relief measure had been taken.

"It's very sad that when the state was reeling under disaster due to heavy rains, the chief minister along with his cabinet colleagues and officials are camping in Delhi for his pending (criminal) case," said Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Ganesh Dutt.

There was nobody in the state to provide relief to the calamity-hit people, Dutt said in a statement here. He claimed that more than 25 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents.

The BJP said Hamirpur, Mandi and Shimla districts were worst affected. "Many people have become homeless. Houses in many villages have started caving in and the locals have had to move to safer places."

Dutt said rivals within the Congress have met the party high command in Delhi and demanded a change in the state leadership.

The opposition asked the chief minister to focus on relief and rehabilitation work rather than lobbying to retain the chief minister's post.