LONDON: As Boris Johnson steps down from the post of British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, Indian-origin British politician, is one of the forerunners in the PM race. Sunak, who was the finance minister in Boris Johnson's cabinet, was the first to raise a voice of protest against the prime minister. He is also the first cabinet minister to resign after expressing dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's actions. Following this, several Cabinet-ranked ministers resigned and Boris Johnson under pressure finally announced his resignation.

If he wins, Rishi Sunak will become the first Indian-origin British Prime Minister. In February 2020, 42-year-old Rishi Sunak was appointed as the Finance Minister by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The projects implemented by Sunak during the Covid crisis had increased his popularity. Ministerial opposition against Boris rose after he considered a minister who is an accused in a sexual assault case, for a key position within the government. Rishi Sunak led this movement against Johnson. Pakistan-origin Health Minister Sajid Javeed also resigned along with Sunak.

But the challenge to Rishi Sunak for PM post is the recent allegations against his wife. Rishi's wife is Akshata Murthy, daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayanamurthy. It was alleged that Akshata is not paying tax for the crores of income received in this way. Although this was permissible under the UK legal system, as the wife of the finance minister, it was not acceptable to the public.

The new Prime Minister may come to power before the Tory party conference. In Britain, where the Tories have a majority, the new Prime Minister will also be from the same party.