MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a brief war of words between Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray over the recent heavy rains and whether the destruction caused could be termed an “act of God.”The exchange came after opposition members protested the delay in taking up a discussion on the rain situation, calling it the most urgent issue before the House.Speaker Narwekar said a short-duration discussion on the monsoon situation would be held on Thursday. Referring to the widespread damage, he said climate change was behind the extreme weather and that such events could not be controlled.Aaditya Thackeray countered by asking whether there would also be a discussion on the cutting of mangroves and forests. “Will you say this was an act of God?” he asked, suggesting that environmental degradation had worsened the impact of the rains.Narwekar responded by asking whether Thackeray could control an “act of God.” The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader then raised the issue of the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, triggering heated exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches.Amid sloganeering from both sides, the Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes.Maharashtra has witnessed heavy rainfall over the past few days, with Mumbai and several other parts of the state reporting tree falls, waterlogging, fatalities, and disruption to road, rail and air services. (With PTI inputs)
