Amid the ongoing controversy and political slugfest over Taj Mahal and its prominence in India's cultural heritage, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the monument today.

The historical edifice has been in the news after BJP MLA Sangeet Som said that it was built by a traitor and was a blot on India's cultural heritage.

Som's comments were followed by a barrage of reactions from across the political spectrum.

However, the BJP and CM Adityanath distanced itself from the cacophony. Adityanath in an exclusive interview to India Today said that Som's comments were his personal views and the state government did not endorse it.

Adityanath will be part of a tourism programme at the Taj Mahal. He will visit the graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal and also visit the Shah Jahan park in the vicinity. The chief minister is expected to inspect various surrounding places.

Yogi Adityanath will also lay foundation of tourist pathway from Taj Mahal to Agra Fort.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

9:00 AM - CM Adityanath reaches Yamuna River.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrives in Agra. pic.twitter.com/pHrLSPYrRh

- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 26, 2017

Yogi Adityanath in Agra LIVE: CM to visit Taj Mahal, join cleanliness drive

The historical edifice has been in the news after BJP MLA Sangeet Som said that it was built by a traitor and was a blot on India's cultural heritage.