Yogi Adityanath scorns Som, set to visit Taj Mahal

Amid row over the Taj Mahal after BJP MLA Sangeet Som's comment, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the 17th century mausoleum on October 26, said report. The chief minister is also likely to visit the Agra Fort and attend an event at the Taj Mahal.

The decision to visit comes a day after controversy erupted over Som's remark that Taj Mahal was blot on Indian history.The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday attempted to distance itself from Sangeet Som's comments on the Taj Mahal, dubbing them as his "individual opinion".

The MLA from Sardhana had said that the Taj Mahal was built by 'traitors' and cannot be included in Indian history. When asked to comment on Som's remark, UP minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Monday said, "That may be his individual opinion. My chief minister and I have on record said that it's our cultural heritage. It's an international heritage site. We are proud that the Taj is situated in UP. It's a great tourist site and we are also converting Agra into a first-class city. It is a great asset. I will not comment on individual opinions, government's stand is clear."

Earlier on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party leader Azan Khan said that all buildings constructed by pre-independence rulers should be demolished, including Parliament and the Rashtrapati Bhawan.BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao had said the party does not have any view on specific monuments and its members can hold whatever opinion they have.