The state assembly functioned for around 10 minutes, allowing only for statements from the Opposition and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on rain-related disasters

Mumbai: Both houses of the state legislature closed early on Monday owing to heavy rainfall and strong winds and the IMD issuing a ‘red’ alert. The state assembly functioned for around 10 minutes, allowing only for statements from the Opposition and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on rain-related disasters.Adjourning the assembly, Speaker Rahul Narwekar said, “The rains seem like a force majeure. The Opposition needs to work with the government.”The Opposition staged a protest against the rain-related deaths outside the assembly, shouting slogans against Fadnavis as the “Infra-man”.In the assembly, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded an inquiry into the rain-related disasters in the city and state. “Twelve people have died in Mumbai either in manholes, tree falls or building collapses. Responsibility needs to be fixed on someone. The government should direct an inquiry into the disasters in Mumbai and the state,” he said.He also said that the government needed to act on dilapidated buildings and unauthorized structures ahead of the monsoon. “Nothing seems to have been done. Look at the condition of the Missing Link. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has been shut down. Even the old highway is shut,” he said.Congress leader Amin Patel said, “A state of emergency should be declared in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This dance of death needs to stop. The government should declare Rs 25 lakh compensation to those who have died.”Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ajay Choudhary said, “Trees are falling in Mumbai and the BMC needs to urgently trim them. The cement-concrete roads are also coming apart and need to be fixed.”