LONDON: The race to ‘claim’ Rishi Sunak was very much on on Monday, when fellow Conservative party member and leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the race to give the former chancellor a clear path to 10 Downing Street.

According to Talkware data, the chatter on social media around Sunak’s appointment was more positive than negative — an unusual trend for a newly appointed prime minister.

Indians on social media dubbed it a “wonderful Diwali gift” that the UK’s first prime minister of colour is a Hindu and of Indian heritage. Many congratulated Narayan Murhty, Mr Sunak’s father-in-law who is the founder of Indian IT giant Infosys.

Though some pointed out that 42-year-old Sunak’s parents in fact migrated out of the subcontinent from Gujranwala in present-day Pakistan, the more interesting observation was if India or Pakistan would ever appoint a person from an ethnic minority to lead the country.

Ex-chancellor’s road to Number 10 cleared after Mordaunt drops out of race

Sunder Katwala, director of think tank BritishFuture, told The Guardian Sunak’s appointment as PM was “a historic moment” that would not have been possible even a decade or two ago.

“It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians — including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics,” Katwala said.

Though Indian publications were keen to paint a picture of Sunak as a ‘devout Hindu’, the newspapers in the UK said though he is a practising Hindu, he rarely talks about his faith in public.

Still, as chancellor of the exchequer, Sunak marked Diwali two years ago by lighting candles on the doorstep of No 1. At the time he had said it was one of his “proudest moments” to be able to do that on the steps of Downing Street. In the past, he had said his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am”.

Sunak is expected to take oath as prime minister on Tuesday (today) after meeting with King Charles. Many Indians were also gleeful at the prospect that the prime minister will take oath on the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered Hindu scriptures.

In a brief statement on Monday, Mr Sunak who was welcomed outside the No 10 to cheers and applause, said, “I’d like to pay tribute to Liz Truss for her dedicated public service to the country. She has led with dignity and grace for a time of great change and under exceptionally difficult circumstances, both at home and abroad.”

“I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.

It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to.”

“The United Kingdom is a great country, but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge. We now need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together because that is the only way we will overcome the challenges we face and build a better, more prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren.”

“I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people,” he said.

Mr Sunak was elected as member of parliament or MP from Richmond in 2015 and entered the cabinet in 2019 as chief secretary to the Treasury. He became the youngest ever chancellor in 2020.

An MBA graduate from Stanford University, he met his wife Akshata in California where they lived for a few years before returning to the UK. The couple has two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka.

Sunak’s official website reads, “I grew up watching my parents serve our local community with dedication. My dad was an NHS family GP and my mum ran her own local chemist shop.”

“My parents sacrificed a great deal so I could attend good schools. I was lucky to study at Winchester College, Oxford University and Stanford University. That experience changed my life…”

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2022