Sadanand Gowda on Thursday took over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He was administered the oath of office by Governor HR Bhardwaj at Raj Bhawan in Bangalore Thursday evening. Senior party leader Ananatha Kumar and party's state president Eeshwarappa were among those who attended the ceremony. Some of the ministers in the outgoing Cabinet and BJP MLAs including senior leader, Jagdish Shettar, who was another contender for the Chief Minister's post did not attend the function.Gowda was elected as BJP Legislative party leader on Wednesday. He replaces B.S.Yeddyurappa who had to step down following his indictment by the Lokayukta in a minning case. AIR correspondent reports, it was a simple and brief ceremony where Karnataka’s new Chief Minister was sworn the oath of office in Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Outside many supporters of Sadanand Gowda danced and sang to the rhythm of political change taking place inside. The new Chief Minister thereafter addressed a press conference and defended his selection through secret ballot by saying that they have set a benchmark in the democratic process within the party. He said his cabinet members will be selected with everyone’s consensus. He also asserted that his adversary in the Chief Minister election, Jagadish Shetter will be one of the ministers in the new cabinet. He said the development modal adopted by his predecessor is ideal and he will follow the same modal. When asked whether the smile which is always playing on his face will remain intact till the end of his tenure, Sadanand Gowda immediately replied that he has overcome many hurdles in his political career with the help of his smiling face.