Bangalore, May 13 : Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj Monday swore in Siddaramaiah as the 28th chief minister of the state at the sprawling Kaneetarava stadium in the city centre.

About 50,000 people, including family members and relatives of the 64-year-old Siddaramaiah, were present at the grand swearing-in ceremony that was marked by cheers, applause, patriotic fervour, music and folk dances under a cloudy sky and breezy weather.

Siddaramaiah took oath in the name of truth and the constitution after Bhardwaj prompted him in Kannada at 11.40 a. m. as the stadium reverberated in thunderous noise and witnessed boisterous scenes.

Among the galaxy of VIPs and political leaders present were central ministers from the state Mallikarjun Kharge, M. Veerappa Moily, K. Muniyappa and Reheman Khan, as well as Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Former external affairs minister and former state chief minister S. M. Krishna was among the other prominent leaders on the dais. (IANS)