Boris Johnson confirmed that he would be pulling out of PM race, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to be elected UK’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister on Monday. The other contender, Penny Mordaunt, is way off securing the crucial number required to contest the election to replace Liz Truss.
Sunak has the support of 142 members of the parliament – far above the 100-mark required to bag the top job. The Tory MP made the renewed attempt to contest for the post on Sunday, just weeks after losing to Liz Truss in the summer leadership contest.
“I want to fix our economy, unite our party and deliver for our country,” the Indian-origin former chancellor said in a short statement confirming his widely expected candidacy.
In India, Sunak has been better known through his wife, Akshata Murty, the daughter of the billionaire co-founder of Infosys Narayana Murthy.