PTI
 
JAMMU, Jan 5: National Conference chief Omar Abdullah was on Monday sworn in as the 11th chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir at a simple ceremony here, bringing in a generational shift in the state politics.

Wearing a smart black sherwani, the 38-year-old Omar, who became the youngest chief minister of the state, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor N N Vohra at the General Zoravar Singh Stadium here.

Nine other ministers including senior Congress leader Tara Chand Sharma also took oath at the ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries including Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The newly constituted Council of Ministers includes five ministers each from NC and Congress.

As Omar approached the flower decked dais to take oath, the gathering, which included wife Payal, their two kids Zahir and Zamir and father former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, broke into a loud applause.

After taking oath of office in English, Omar, who will lead the NC-Congress coalition, sat on an elegantly crafted chair and waited for others to be sworn-in.

Immediately after him Tara Chand Sharma of Congress who is slated to be the deputy chief minister of the state was sworn-in.

Others inducted in the ministry were three-time MLA and former JKPCC Chief Peerzadas Mohmmad Sayeed, Taj Mohideen, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Shyam Lal Sharma all Congress, along with NC's Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mian Altaf, Surjeet Salathia.

Tight security arrangements were made for the ceremony.