Taj Mahal - 350

The political equations between UP and UPA Govt, skewed the festival, which could have been one of the finest tourism event of the year.

A festival to commemorate the 350th year the symbol of love sparked off a bitter power struggle between New Delhi and Lucknow.

Even though the lack of coordination between Centre and the UP Govt was the chief dampener, the first blow came from the apex court.

The festival took off with a ceremony at the Agra Fort on September 27. However, in the afternoon Supreme Court refused to allow the authorities to conduct celebrations near the World Heritage monument without a clearance by the Archeological Survey of India and security agencies.

Later in the evening, when the Taj fest started in the Dewan-e-Aam of the Agra Fort, the high doses of regional flavour made the festival’s name - International Taj Festival - look ironical.

The special invitees to the much-hyped event included six former prime ministers and present PM. But none of them could reach there. None of the four Union ministers - who were part of the Group of Ministers formed to organise the six-month festival - could make it to Agra.

The political equations between UP and UPA Govt, skewed the festival, which could have been one of the finest tourism event of the year.

- Saurabh Azad