(Image tweeted by @CMOfficeUP)
Agra: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived here on Thursday and will visit the Shha Jahan's grave in Taj Mahal. This visit is seen as a damage control exercise over the marble monument after a BJP lawmaker called it a "blot" on Indian culture, drawing flak.
The UP Chief Minister lead a cleanliness drive outside the Taj Mahal.
Locals are hoping that the Chief Minister will unfold a package for infrastructural development of Agra and soothe frayed tempers ignited by a series of controversial statements by politicians on the Taj Mahal.
Read: Taj Mahal - A monument caught in the eye of a communal storm
The Chief Minister is also scheduled to launch Pro-Poor Tourism projects and address a public gathering at the GIC ground later in the day.
Earlier CM Yogi said the 17th century Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by thousands, is an important tourist draw and it was immaterial who built it and for what reason.
"It does not matter who built it and for what reason. It was built by the blood and sweat of Indian labourers," he said.
The comment came after BJP legislator from Sardhana, Sangeet Som's kicked off controversy kicked by calling the Taj Mahal a blot on Indian culture. Som attracted criticism for his remarks.
The Chief Minister said the monument of love was important for the Uttar Pradesh government, specially "from the tourism perspective" and "it is our priority to provide facilities and safety to tourists there".
Earlier last month, the state government has omitted reference to the Taj Mahal in a booklet published on completion of six months of the Yogi Adityanath government. The move had drawn sharp criticism, prompting Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi to remark that Taj Mahal was of great importance to the state government and to the nation.
