New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): National Conference chief Omar Abdullah will be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir heading a coalition government with Congress.

This was decided after Omar met Congress President Sonia Gandhi here today.

Emerging from a meeting, he said, "It has been decided that I will lead the coalition government in the state of which Congress will be a part of."

"Other nitty-gritty of the alliance will be worked out in due course of time," he added.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of both the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) initially showing inclination to form the government in the State and Congress having a rethink on whether it should support NC or PDP.

Abdullah's National Conference party won 28 of the assembly's 87 seats, the Congress 17, the People's Democratic Party 21, Bharatiya Janata Party 11 and other parties and independents won 10 seats.

The large voter turnout has encouraged New Delhi, which now hopes to blunt separatist sentiments and bring peace by investing heavily in development projects and job creation.

Kashmir came under New Delhi's direct rule in July after the incumbent Congress-PDP coalition government fell over Amarnath land dispute. (ANI)