World / Indian Origin Rishi Sunak tops first round of voting in UK leadership contest

Indian-origin Rishi Sunak has come very close to becoming the Prime Minister of Britain. Former British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has secured the most votes in the first round of voting to be elected leader of the Conservative Party. Sunak secured 88 votes. Sunak was followed by Commerce Minister Penny Mordent with 77 votes and Foreign Minister Liz Truss with 55 votes.

Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt and current chancellor Nadim Jahavi withdrew from the race for leadership after the first round of voting. They failed to garner the 30 votes needed to make it to the next round. Now the frontrunners in the race for British PM are Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Trade Minister Penny Mordant.

Sunak continues to lead the race and is said to have the support of the maximum number of MPs. Starting his campaign, 42-year-old Sunak said, "I am running a positive campaign which is focused on what benefits can my leadership bring to the party and the country." After winning the contest in the voting, they have reached the second round.