National Conference president Omar Abdullah took oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday becoming the youngest CM of the state.

Along with Omar, Congress MLA Tara Chand also took charge as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Four MLAs each from Congress and National Conference have also taken oath.

However, the road ahead is not going to be easy for him as the biggest challenge for the young chief minster would be to facilitate a dialogue with separatists. He also faces the task of choosing a Cabinet, which is free from tainted ministers.

The 38-year-old scion of Kashmir's 'first family', the Abdullahs, Omar, who is known for his trademark extempore speeches, started his political career as an MP in the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and was re-elected a year later. He went on to become the youngest Union Minister at the age of 29 under then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He served as Union Minister of State, Commerce and Industry in the NDA government. After two years, he was made Union Minister of State of External Affairs.

Omar, grandson of Kashmir's tallest leader Sheikh Abdullah, was handed over the party's mantle by his father and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in 2002.