Agra, the town of Taj Mahal, was one of the 13 cities from Uttar Pradesh in the 100 Smart Cities list of the Union Government but it failed to find a place in the first phase of the selection.

Obviously people are disappointed and politicians are making it an issue.

Industry associations, such as Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC), were surprised that no city from Uttar Pradesh found a place in the first phase of the selection.

The city had polled 671,747 votes in the online voting part of the campaign which was a clear indication that people were very interested and involved in the campaign.

Also, 10-12 thousand students had participated in this campaign to help bring Agra at the top of the list of first 20 cities.

Analysts say this issue could be used as a political tool by the opposition in Uttar Pradesh as the state goes to polls next year.

Agra MP and Minister Ram Shankar Katheria said that Agra is not an isolated case and pointed out that even the constituencies of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have been excluded. Agra may be included in the second list, along with other UP cities in 2017.

Agra Commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar assured that although the city missed making it into the first list, it will certainly be included in the second list.