JK CM Ghulam Nabi Azad takes oath as MLA

Jammu, Apr 29: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today took oath as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), making a maiden entry into the House.

Speaker Tara Chand administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Azad in a simple ceremony at his chamber.

Those present at the occasion included Transport Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Hameed Mohammed Yaseen, Rural and Development Minister Gulchain Singh Charak, Leader of Opposition Abdur Rahim Rather, Member Parliament Lal Singh, Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya and Director General of Police Gopal Sharma.

Mr Azad won the by-election from Bhaderwah constituency with a record margin of 58015 votes, defeating BJP's Dhanatar Singh, his only rival.

This was the second Assembly election of his political career.

Earlier he had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly election from neighbouring Inderwal constituency of Doda district in 1977.

UNI