Agra, Aug 27 - The Taj Mahal city of Agra battled with mounds of garbage as municipal sweepers struck work Thursday seeking action against an MP accused of abusing one of their colleagues.

Residents expressed disgust over the sudden work stoppage in a city that is dubbed one of the dirtiest in the country despite being home to one of the world's most beautiful monuments.

The 'safai karamcharis' of Agra Municipal Corporation want action against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ram Shankar Katheria for allegedly misbehaving with a sanitary inspector, Ramu Sagar.

Katheria denied the allegation. He said: 'Let them do what they want. I have nothing to do with the strike. I (want) firm action against Ramu Sagar,' the sanitary inspector of Taj Ganj area where the Taj is located.

The sweepers announced Wednesday evening that they would not let anyone enter the premises of the municipal corporation, not even the mayor.

'We do not have any other means of tackling the problems created by the strikers,' Municipal Commissioner Anand Vardhan said.

Agra, about 200 km south of New Delhi, is the most sought after destination on India's tourism map.